the appearance of a dead claw. But, though at the end of a month or five weeks this claw has acquired the length of more than half an inch, it is still incapable of action. The membrane in which it is enclosed, becoming gradually thinner in proportion as it extends, gives an opportunity of observing the parts of the claw, and we now perceive that this conical substance is not a simple congeries of flesh. The moment is now arrived when the claw begins to be brought forth. The membrane bursts, and the new claw, though still soft, appears without incumbrance or investment. In a few days more it is covered with a shell; and, though still delicate, and not the half its former length, the animal is able to perform with it all the natural functions. A similar reproduction takes place also in the horns; but, if the tail be cut off, the animal survives only a few days. Craw-fish are found in many of our rivers, lodged in holes which they form in the clayey banks; and their presence is generally esteemed an evidence of the goodness of the water. They are frequently caught by sticks split at the end, with a bait inserted in the cleft, and stuck in the mud at the distance of a few feet from each other. These sticks, after remaining some time, are taken up, and generally with an animal adhering to each. They are gently drawn out of the mud, and a basket is put under them to receive the animals, which always drop off when brought to the surface of the water. OF THE SCOLOPENDRÆ, OR CENTIPEDES, IN GENERAL. Centipedes live chiefly on insects, and inhabit decayed wood, or hollows under stones. Those that frequent hot climates are large, and many of them are very ve nomous. All the species have tapering antennæ, and two thread-shaped feelers united between the jaws. The body verse of legs No 10 for found of A preye howe SO COT are o sels durin Gr Veno two s the extre throu poiso Le relat a lar pass unde in si other red: The black Sy pend La S d consists of numerous transvhich is furnished with a pair CENTIPEDE *. , the Scorpions excepted, are ice as the Centipede. It is st Indies, and in various parts efly the woods, where it is ent species of snakes. It is, in houses, and is said to be listricts, that the inhabitants t of their beds placed in ves> prevent their being annoyed horrible reptiles. I the legs of this animal are formidable weapons are the ruments, that are placed under it destroys its prey. At the ese there is a small opening, Dosed the Centipede emits the ound inflicted by the fangs. s of ascertaining some facts itted by the Centipede, placed ach of one of these animals. pair of the middle feet, then to the next, till it was brought were plunged into its body, Great Centipedes vary much both f them are of deep reddish brown, colour, livid yellow, or tinged with es seen more than a foot in length. ry sharp hooks, or nails, of a shining ra morsitans. Linn.-Great Scolo-Centipee, in the West Indies. |
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