CENTIPEDE, Seolopendra, a genus of myriapoda (q.v.), having a iong slender depressed body, protected by coriaceous plates, 21 pair of legs, distinct eyes, four on each side, and antenna; 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. They have not only a pair of horny jaws, like those of insects, but also another pair of organs closely connected with the mouth, and which are regarded as transformed legs, dilated and united at the base, terminated by a strong hook, and pierced beneath the extremity for the emission of a venomous fluid, which makes their bite quickly fatal to insects, and in the case of the larger species, very painful and even dangerous to the larger animals and to man. The common C. of tropical America (S. inorsitans) is often 9 in. or a foot in length. A species found in the s. of Europe (S. cingulata) is nearly as large, but its bite does not seem to be equally venomous. It may seem strange that creatures of such aspect as centipedes should ever have been thought of as human food, but Humboldt, in his personal narrative, tells us that he has seen Indian children of the tribe of the Chuyinas draw large centipedes ont of the earth and eat them.—The most common British C. is not a true scolopendra, as that genus is now restricted, but is very nearly allied to it. It is known to naturalists as lithobius forficatus. It is very plentiful under stones, etc., in summer. Another allied
genus, geophilus, of more numerous joints and slender form, contains sonic species which are occasionally phosphorescent, one of which, G. longicornis, yellow, with a rust colored head, is very abundant at the roots of turnips, etc. It is supposed, however, to be rather useful than injurious, preying on the destructive larvae of insects.
CENTLIVItE, SUSANNA, an English dramatic authoress, was the daughter of a Lin colnshire gentleman, named Freeman, b. (most probably) in Ireland, about 1670. Her early history is obscure; but such were her wit and beauty, that on her arrival in Lon• don, though a destitute orphan, and only 16 years of age, she won the heart of a nephew of sir Stephen Fox, who, however, died shortly after their marriage. ller second husband, an officer named Carrol, lost his life in a duel. Left in extreme poverty, his widow endeavored to support herself by writing for the stage, arid after producing a tragedy called The Perjured Husband (performed first in 1700), made her appearance on the stage. She afterwards married (1706) Joseph Centlivre, principal cook to queen Anne, with whom she lived happily until the time of her death, Dec. 1, 1723. Her plays-2he Busybody (of which the leading character, " Marplot," is highly amusing); A Bold Stroke ford Wife (1717); and The Wonder (1714)—though not dis tinguished by purity of style or truthfulness of portraiture, are lively in their plots, and have kept their place on the stage.