GENUS HOPLOPHORA. 543 



and anal plates are close togetlier, the former being 

 the wider. 



Nymph. 



It is like the adult, but white. 



Distribution. — The creature is uncommon ; the 

 largest number I have found were in an old thatched 

 roof, but I have occasionally found single specimens 

 in old wooden boxes, &c., in the most unexpected 

 places. I am not aware of its having been recorded 

 by anyone else. 



Genus— HOPLOPHORA,* Koch. 



ApterogasterincB with cephalothorax hinged to abdo- 

 men and capable of being folded down on its ventral 

 surface. Yentral plate not anchylosed to dorsal. 



Equals Hoplophora of all authors and the Tritia of 

 Berlese and Canestrini. 



The first record of any creature of this well-marked 

 genus is by Duges, who did not divide his Orihatidoi 

 into genera but called his species Orihates dasypus. 

 Duges' short description without any figure would 

 apply equally well to any species in the genus; it is 

 simply generic. Koch came next ; it is to be regretted 

 that he did not adopt some modification (to escape 

 identity with the Linnean genus) of the very appro- 

 priate name of dasypus for the genus as well as new 

 specific names for all species ; he did give new names 

 to the species, and I think to some forms which were 

 not species, but he gave the not very characteristic 

 nsiioaeo^ Hoplophora to the genus; that name has become 

 * ''OttXov, a shield or weapon ; ^lopoe, carrjiug. 



