This Algonkian rock is about the right stratum for centipedes to dig in.

They dig somewhat after the manner of the fluviatile long-tailed decapod crustaceans, of the genera Thoracostraca, the common crawfish, you know.

From that, of course, you can imagine, if a centipede can bite rock, what a biter he is." I began to grow weak, and did not wonder to see Jim's long pipe fall from his lips.

Frank looked queer around the gills, so to speak, but the gaunt Stewart never batted an eye.
"I camped here two years ago," he said, "An' the cave was alive with rock-rats, mice, snakes, horned-toads, lizards an' a big Gila monster, besides bugs, scorpions' rattlers, an' as fer tarantulers an' centipedes--say! I couldn't sleep fer the noise they made fightin'." "I seen the same," concluded Lawson, as nonchalant as a wild-horse wrangler well could be.

"An' as fer me, now I allus lays perfickly still when the centipedes an' tarantulers begin to drop from their holes in the roof, same as them holes up there.