Abhors Centipedes.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20540, 15 February 1935, Page 6

Abhors Centipedes.

Nature Notes .

By James Drummond, F.L.S., F.Z.S. MANY naturalists find centipedes and their ways interesting, if not fascinating. Eminent zoologists in England spend hours watching and studying them, and do not consider the time wasted. Tastes differ on this point, as an almost everything else. Cats are general favourites, but some people dislike them greatly. Centipedes are the particular aversion of Mr,P. L. Hill, of Crater Flat, Raglan. He vntes: “ I would sooner handle snakes than centipedes. I have done so, often putting snakes in my pocket. Apart from a slight smell and a cold touch when it encircles the wrist, with its head showing between thumb and forefinger, there is nothing repulsive in a snake. I have seen innumerable centipedes, big and little, and have had a close acquaintance with them, but rothing stirred me to a friendly feeling for them. I could never bring myself to touch one, and my sentiments in this respect are absolutely fixed. Of all noxious creatures I have known or read about, centipedes are the limit.”