ACARI 585 



Subfam. Zerconinae, 



ZERCON C. L. Koch. 



Zercon (?) sp. 



(Fig. 106-108). 



Province de Consianiiiie [Algérie). — Grotte de l'Ours, Djebel 

 Taya, commune d'Aïn Amara, 24 th October 1906; N^ 184, — 

 1 nympha. 



As there is only one nympha of this species in thc collection, 

 I consider it most appropriate not to give any name to it, 

 as it was impossible to give a full description of it. It has only 

 provisionally been placed in this genus, to which it is pro- 

 bably not reierable ; but I know of no better place for the time 

 being. 



Length : 380 ;y.. Width : 260 



The shapeis oval, anteriorly pointed, posteriorly well roun- 

 ded. The colour is a whitish-yellow. The dorsal side is pro- 

 tected by a single shield which covers its entire surface. The 

 texture of the shield is net-like, the net being formed by irre- 

 gular, raised ridges which leave shallow, polygonal areas 

 between them. The hairs of the shield are very finely pointed 

 and curved ; ail of uniform size. 



The surface is to a large extent covered by organic détritus, 

 amongst which scales, probably of some Thysanura or 

 CoUembola, are the most conspicuous constituents (fig. 108). 



Gnathosoma. 



Although I hâve used oil-immersion, it has been impossible 

 to discern the exact shape of the epistoma, and the mandibles 

 were retracted within the body. The palpi and the hypostoma 

 show no peculiarities. 



The legs, on the other hand, possess some characteristics ; 

 thus, tarsi I hâve a shght constriction behind the middle, in 

 front of which they are of equal width throughout, as far as the 



