The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-25
TRAFFIC IN CENTIPEDEs.
Interesting Industry Which Engages
Young CaIifornians.
Philadelphia Record.

Ph1ladelpnld ReCoIo.
Among the many remarkable developments OF
life on the Pacific coast, says the Los Angeles
Times, the centipede industry of southern Cali
fornia is uniquely prominent, thousands OF these
many-legged myriapodas being placed on the
market each year. and even then the demand
exceeds the supply. Besides whoesalng I'M
mense numbers to Eastern firms, the California
novelty establishments find active customers in
the tourists, who purchase formidable collec-
tions of semi-tropical bugs and insects, cent?
pedes being especially popular;
During the months of March, April and May
this strange industry is carried on with vim,
the collectors drying and storing their crops TO
sell the worms the dealers for . cents each.
AS an active boy easily catch 100 centipedes
day, the pay is quite considerable
The young hunter usually carries his lunch,
sometimes in a basket, sometimes in his pocket,
but if he constructed like the Indian chill
dren of South America he would not be bur
dened with lunch, but would satiate his appetite
with centipedes, eating az ne pleased and when
ne pleased lust as he would nibble wild berries
If he were on a berrying expedition. The native
South American youngsters are said to chase the
centipedes from their lairs, and, after tearing
off the head, with the two attendant poison
fangs eat the delicacy with gusto. But this Is
a gustatory feat the American youth has yet to
Besides the lunch, the hunters paraphernalia
consists of a pair OF homemade pincers about
is inches in length. and a fve-gallon oil-can,
with the top thrown half open. Scraps OF paper
eight inches and in this rusting heap the worms
are placed. II il were not for the paper that
pads the Jail and affords snug hiding places
there would be a terrific battle in which the
whole collection of centipedes would unite, for
they hate their own klnd. MOI Delng satlsneo
other so that at the termination of the fight only
the larger and stronger one remains.
Full grown California centpedeS, the ScOlO-
pendra castaniceps. are from five to eight inches
long and average a legs and Il segments. Each
leg is terminated by a formidable brown thorn
and II the worm is angered he simultaneously
thrllsts every thorn into the flesh of his victim
who feels If red-hot iron were carving lines
of pain upon his skin. But the pOns that do
the most mischief placed just below the
mouth and are formed from a second pair Of
feet which are modified into a pair of strong
claws. set horizontally, in a manner resembling
1fraar enid arnI
by sharp. strong hook in each side. These
hooks are perforated, and are traversed by a
little canal leading from the poison gland. These
claws come together under the flesh, with hold
so tenacious that the centipede sometimes has to
be torn TO pieces before il will loosen its hold
Boys who gather the creatures are sometimes
bitten. for hot days the worms like
streak OF lightning. and unless the pincers hold
firm they glide up the sticks and under their
tornentor's shirt sleeves. where they wreak
vengeance and make trouble generally An ap-
plication Of ammonia cooking soda is usual lily
efficacious in removing the poison. Though the
pain of being bitten by a California centipede
is intense. the patient usually RECEIVERS.
During the year fully 10000 deadly insects are.
IL is said. collected and prepared for the market
in Pasadena. Centipedes, scorpions tarantulas
tarantula hawks and trap-door spiders are all
victimized by the small boys pincers and man $
ingenuity. and are arranged in artistic poses for
the edifcaton OF curiosity seekers. Horned tOads
do escape. and marketed in immense
numbers Even rattlesnakes fall into the meshes
of this remarkable industry. their skins being
made into belts purses and many other things.