and fourth figure, MUkpeila Orientalis and Millepeda Ceylonica, mas: the latter is the
same length as our figure, but the body is very narrow. Millepeda Orientalis is also the
same length, but the body is very broad. Some o f these insects are not four inches in
length. Tliese will be regarded as distinct species ; and, indeed, it is questionable
whether the Chinese species be strictly entitled to the specific name o f Morsitans, as
Guérin (Encyclop. Méth. x . p. 3 9 3 ), and Pohl and Kollar, in their work on the noxious
insects o f Brazil, have giv en the name o f Morsitans to the Brazilian species, which has
also twenty-on e pairs o f l e g s ; to this species, however. Dr. Leach g a v e the specific name
o f A lternans. The entire genus has, indeed, need o f a monographical revision. It will
be seen that the antennm in this figure are much shorter than in that o f De Geer, &c.
Authors agree that they vary exceedingly in s iz e* and colour. D e Geer describes
them to be sometimes deep reddish brown; at others, the colour o f y ellow oclire. Tlie
figure in Catesby s Natural History o f Carolina is light b row n ; we have specimens o f
a livid yellow, and have seen others strongly tinged with red.
The last pair o f leg s is considerably larger than the others, and is armed with small
black spines. The legs terminate in very sharp hooks or nails o f a shining black colour.
All the other leg s are also furnished with a smaller nail o f the same shape and colour.
M. Gronovius says, that all its feet are very v enom ous; but the most formidable o f
Its weapons are the two sharp hooked instruments that are placed under the mouth, and
with which it destroys its prey.
Leuwenhoeck having examined these instruments with a microscope, found a small
opening at the extremity o f each, and a channel from them into the body o f the creature.
Through this channel he supposes the Scolopendra emits the poisonous fluid into the
wound It makes with the hooked instrument. That author further remarks, that he has
seen a liquor on that part o f liv in g scolopendras. A figure o f the.se instruments on the
under side o f th e head is represented in one o f th e dissections in our plate.
The same author, wishing to ascertain the influence o f the poison o f Scolopendra
morsitans, placed a large fly within its reach. The Scolopendra at first took it between
a pair o f its middle feet, then passed it from one pair o f feet to the next, till the fly was
brought under the sharp pointed instrument or crotchets at the head, which it plunged
Into the fly, and it died instantly. Notwithstanding this experiment, D e Geer, Catesby
and other authors assert, that its bite seldom proves fatal to larger animals; but all agree
• The se e re a tiire s differ from m o st insects in th e ir m an n e r o f grow th , insomnch th a t it is impossible to asc
e rta in when they a rc o f th e ir full size. T h e segments o f th e bod y in crease in n nm be r as th ey ad v an c e m
o f t o " “ Z Z Z Z “ n u -u te examina tion
N