112 A. D. MICHAEL ON TWO SPECIES OF ACARINA. 



the claws of the front pair of legs are totally different from those of 

 the other legs — each of the front legs has two strong unequal 

 claws, slightly curved, and set at a small angle. Each of the other 

 legs has a triple claw, the centre one strong and curved, the lateral 

 ones fine, short, and bent almost at right angles. Upon the sternal 

 surface a central longitudinal blade (apodeme) projects inward, four 

 transverse apodemes run from the thickened lateral ridges which 

 form supports for the legs, and join the central apodeme, dividing 

 the whole sternal surface into eight spaces. The legs are articulated 

 in deep cups protected by the lateral ridges, which are rough with 

 projecting points. 



The abdomen may be roughly described as fiddle-shaped, the 

 anterior margin nearly straight, slighly convex anteriorly, the centre 

 having a small point extending over and coalescing with the 

 cephalathorax. The abdomen is the same width as the 

 cephalothorax for a short distance, then suddenly widens with an 

 almost square shoulder. On the side just behind this shoulder is a 

 small rounded projection which Dr. Kramer regards as being an eye. 

 I am not satisfied that it is so ; the position would be singular, and 

 I have not been able to observe any pigment layer or internal 

 optical structure ; whatever it be it is protected by a strong 

 spine above it. Immediately behind this projection is a second 

 conical one which is perforated by the external stigma, which is 

 conical with the point outward. There are a few spines round the 

 hind margin and down the notogaster. The genital and anal 

 apertures are placed together in the posterior part of the ventral 

 surface, and form a large squarish aperture with rounded corners-, 

 which is closed by four hinged plates or doors— the two anterior or 

 genital plates (Fig. 3, g) being much the largest. The eggs are very 

 large, and I have not ever seen more than one mature at the same 

 time. 



The Nymph. (Plate VI, Fig 1). 



The Nymph is a most beautiful creature, which it is not possible 

 to do justice to by uiicoloured drawings, nor have I succeeded in 

 mounting it for the microscope so as to preserve the colour, which is 

 its principal attraction. It is of a bright rose colour, with two darker, 

 almost crimson patches on the back, while the depressed channel and 

 raised margin of the abdomen are pale grey. The Nymph resem- 



