TRÄGxVRDH, SPELEORCHESTES, A SALTATORTAL TROMBIDIIDE 



The mouthparts are in several respects very remarkable, 

 and exhibit some structures not met with in the Trombidiidse. 



When examined from above, they exhibit, between the 

 mandibles and projecting forwards to a level with their tips, 

 a narrow ensiform projection, the base of which is concealed 

 between the basal portions of the mandibles. On disseoting 

 the mouthparts we perceive however, that it is curved at a 

 right angle in the middle, so that the basal half is almost 

 vertical, the distal half horizontal (Fig. 2. ep.). Owing to 

 the extreme minuteness of the mouthparts I have not been 



Fi^. 2. Right mandible, maxill» and epistoin-like structure, dorsal 

 view. **^^/i. mdi mandible; mdj detached portion o£ mandible; ep, epistora- 

 like projection; tnx^, lateral appendage of maxillse ; mxo, median appen- 

 dage ; I, lingua. 



Fig. 3. Right mandible, seen from the innei' side. ^^V'- 



able to ascertain its exact relation to the other mouthparts. 

 I am not aware of any similar structure having been found 

 in the Trombidiidae. Its function seems to be partly the same 

 as the epistoma of the Parasitidse viz. to form the roof of 

 the mouth, but its shape suggests that it possibly is used 

 as a piercing organ. 



The mandibles (Figs. 2 & 3) are large and conical; they 

 attain the length of the cephalothorax. The chela is well 

 developed, but edentate. The upper jaw^ is rather narrow 

 with comparatively long terminal tooth, and has on its upper 

 side, near the base, a plumose hair, inserted on a low tuberele, 



