THE PAUROPUS HUXLEYI. 
415 
sideration, but the powers of locomotion are increased over those 
of a simple insect larva, by the multiplication of the segments of 
the body and their legs. There is no consolidation of the anterior 
segments into a thorax, as is the case in insects, and instead of this 
concentration during development, the reverse takes place, and the 
growing Myriapod increases by the production of new rings. 
No metamorphosis takes place in the Myriapoda ; but the 
absence of the distinct phases which characterise the phenomenon 
is compensated for by a succession of changes of skin and acces- 
sions of structures. 
Sir John Lubbock has described a curious little Myriapod , 
which he has named Pauropus , and it was found by him amongst 
dead leaves and in other accumulations of decaying organic sub- 
stances, in company with species of Thysanura , mites, worms, and 
other living things that frequent similar situations. Pauropus 
Huxleyi is a bustling, active, neat, and cleanly little creature, and 
Sir John Lubbock says it has a look of cheerful intelligence 
which forms a great contrast to the dull stupidity of the Julidce , 
or the melancholy ferocity of most Chilopods. It lives through- 
out the year among dead leaves, and is continually running about, 
and it sometimes gives a rush of surprising velocity. He found 
it during the winter in the warmer days, and he noticed that it 
cleans its feet and antennae with its mouth. 
The animal is tolerably transparent, and the digestive organs 
are plainly visible, but there are no tracheae. Lubbock supposes 
that it respires through its delicate skin, as no traces of respira- 
tory organs were to be seen ; and, if this is the case, it forms a 
separate family, for all the other Myidapods respire through 
the agency of tracheae. The growth of these insects is very 
remarkable. 
The smallest specimens observed by Lubbock were about T V 
of an inch in length, and possessed three pairs of legs only. The 
first pair was attached to the third segment (the one which suc- 
ceeds the head), the other two to the following one. Beyond the 
legs were two other segments, making six in all, as seen from 
above, and counting the head as two. The first of the six-legged 
insects was found in September, and they were in company with 
their parents. They moult, and there appears to be great 
