With 8 figures in the text) Stadia 11-VII and adults of Chondromorpha kelaarti (Humbert) can be separated by segment number, length, breadth and paired legs. Sexes are distinguished from stadium IV and the sex ratio vaned around SO%, though females were prevalent in May and June.

A population of Trigoniulus corallinus (Gervis) in an open land rich in organic matter is studied for a year. Population density and biomass ranged from 2.13 to 56.31per m2 and 1026.38 to 8494.38 per m2 respectively. Various indices showed that population of T. corallinus is aggregated in distribution in the peak period of their abundance and this is due to patchy distribution of food, soil moisture and sexual attraction. Monthly age structure showed adult and late stadia are abundant in June, October and November while August population covered all the stadia. In the developmental stages, length and width progression factor of T. corallinus ranged from 1.11 to 1.98 (mean 1.43) and 1.10 to 1.56 (mean 1.31) respectively. Weight progression factor in female is higher compared to that of male and this may due to more accumulation of egg forming tissue in female. Population density and biomass is significantly correlated with minimum temperature and rainfall.

Water content, percentage of total body water lost as a function of time, and cuticular permeability are determined for 10 species of millipedes representing three orders (Polydesmida, Spirobolida and Spirostreptida). Mean water content per cubic centimeter of body mass ranges from 422 mg for Polydesmopeltis kelaarti to 886 mg for yet undetermined Species B (Spirostreptida: Harpagophoridae). Mean percentage of total body water ranged from 57.46 for Orthomorpha coarctata to 70.21 for P. kelaarti. Mean cuticular permeability ranges from 20.28 µg cm -1 h -1 mm Hg -1 for Gonoplectus malayusto 82.53 µg cm -1 h -1 mm Hg -1 for O.coarctata. Cumulative percentage of total body water lost at 20 hour varied widely ranging from 9.35% in G. malayus to 61.64% in O. coarctata. Smaller millipedes (Polydesmida), having lower water reserve, higher CP values and higher rate of percent of TBW lost, are less tolerant to desiccation compared with larger species (Spirobolida and Spirostreptida). Analyzed polydesmids are restricted to hygric environments, whereas, spirobolids and spirostreptids can tolerate desiccation to a large extent and are confined to mesic or xeric habitats.