This book on the Myriapoda of southern Africa is the first general account to be published on the rich centipede and millepede fauna of southern Africa and is based on years of field work by the author in South Africa, Namibia, Mauritius and Madagascar. It is intended for the interested layman and as a reference work on the local fauna for biologists. The Chilopoda and Diplopoda are dealt with in separate halves of the book, and within these halves the 4 and 5 orders, respectively, are also dealt with individually. Some general observations on the Myriapoda, including a review of their place in the animal kingdom, is followed by an account of centipedes in general, including their habitats, colouring, respiratory organs, sense organs, mouthparts, legs, segmentation, prey, venom, defence, natural enemies (including predators, parasites and pathogens), behaviour, habits and relations with man. Each order is then treated under similar headings, including a general description and notes on reproduction. Centipedes of the past are also dealt with. A section on the identification of centipedes includes keys to the 4 orders and the South African genera. Millepedes are similarly dealt with, an account being included of millepedes as pests in South Africa and elsewhere. The section on the identification of millepedes covers only identification down to major taxa.