Centipede

a worm having a long slender, depre ed body, protected by coriaceous plates, 21 pairs of legs, distinet 7, 4 on each side, and antenne with 17 joints. The name is, however, popularly extended to species of nearly allied genera. Centipedes run nimbly, feed on insects, and pursue them into their lurking-places, Baty SA = See oer NYO Nag lore eee GIANT CENTIPEDE, Central America, the narrow tortuous strip of land which unites the continents of North and South America, extending from about lat. 7° to 18° N. The limits a igned to it include the six republics of Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, San Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, with British Honduras. It thus has Mexico on the N. W., Colombia or New Granada on the S. E., and the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea on either side. Its entire length is about 800 mniles, with a breadth varying from between 20 and 30 miles to 350 miles. The area is estimated at about 200,000 Square miles; the pop. at 3,200,000. ’. Guatemala is remarkable for containing, with exception of the island of Java, the greatest number of active volcanoes known to exist within simi- Jar limits. The highest in Central America, is Agua, which is said to attain an elevation of 15,000 feet. This volcano has obtained its name from its emitting torrents of water and stone instead of fire. The mountains of Central America do not generally attain an elevation equal to those of the two adjoining continents, with exception of the voleanoes. The coast lands are generally narrow, and in some places the mountains and high lands come close down to the water’s edge. The rivers of this territory are small, and have short courses, the longest not exceeding from 200 to 300 miles, while many of them are not more than 50. The principal lake is that of Nicaragua, which is upward of 100 miles in ——— —— — length, and about 50 miles in breadth, The other considerable lakes are those of 7 or Leon, Golfo Dolce, Golfete, Peten, Atitlan, Am at it lan, Guija, and Cojutepeque. The climate is exceedingly various, owing to the inequality of the surface. The low grounds on the coast of the Caribbean Sea are exposed to violent tropical heats, and are generally unhealthy; but on the table-lands any temperature, according to altitude, may be obtained all the year round, with a salubrious climate. The dry season lasts from abgut October to May; the rest of the year js called the wet season, although the rain falls during the night only, the days being fair and cloudle , and the air pure and refreshing. The vegetable productions are as various as the climate.