386 R. T. LEWIS OX IXODES REDUVIUS (lINN.). 



with no preparation and no pressure other than that of the cover- 

 glass, these papillae can still be seen in their distended condition 

 under a ^-in. objective, as in Figs. 4 and 5. As the summer 

 season approaches and ticks become more abundant it is hoped to 

 ^iomplete these observations by determining whether during this 

 connection spermatophores actually pass. Until then it may 

 perhaps be unwise to assume that what has been seen is the 

 victual method of impregnation in Ixodes reduvius, although it 

 will probably be conceded that there is a strong primd-facie case ; 

 nor is it taken for granted that the process is common to other 

 genera. Correspondence with some of the most careful investiga- 

 tors of tick life-history in our colonies failed for a long time to 

 elicit evidence of other than a negative character — no one had 

 seen anything of the kind take place, and what had been observed 

 here was regarded as something abnormal. However, in December 

 last Mr. Wheler received a letter from Mr. Chas. P. Lounsbury, 

 the Cape Government entomologist, in which he mentioned having 

 recently met with a species of tick previously unknown to him, 

 but recognised since as /. pilosus (Koch), which appeared to resemble 

 /. reduvius^ scores of which he found in apparent copulation with 

 the females in exactly the manner described. In January last 

 Mr. Lounsbury was good enough to send me some specimens of 

 these ticks, in situ, preserved in formalin. The females are 

 apparently fully inflated, so that the disparity in size between 

 males and females is great ; but it can be seen at once that in 

 every case the males are attached to the females, holding on to 

 the ventral surface with all their feet and having the rostrum 

 buried to its base in the female orifice. 



Although perhaps not at the moment absolutely conclusive, 

 the observations have been thought sufficiently interesting and 

 important to bring before the members of the Club. 



Explanation of Plate 21. 



Fig. 1. Ixodes reduvius, S ^"^^ ? i^i copula, as described 



and exhibited alive at the meeting x 18 

 Fig. 2. „ „ Hypostome of ? , ventral aspect x 70 



Fig. 3. „ „ Rostrum of ?, lateral aspect ... x 70 



Fig. 4. „ „ Hypostome of ^, ventral aspect, 



showing two genital processes fully 



dilated x 70 



Fig. 5. „ „ Kostrum of (^ , lateral aspect, 



showing processes fully dilated ... x 70 



Journ. Quek-ctt Microscopical ClvJj, Ser. 2., Vol. VII., No. 47, November ItOO. 



