dairy stock, without doing tbem the shghtest harm or producing any 

 ill-effects."— From ' Agricultural Gazette ' for March 23rd, 1891. 



The following notes, with which I was favoured on the 6th of Nov., 

 by Mr. Thos. Fraser, from Ardfin, Isle of Jura, N.B., are well worth 

 careful perusal. It will be seen that the Mites are found under the 

 "tramps" or "cocks" in the field. This shows the locality of the 

 Mites as being in the Grass field ; and Mr. Fraser's belief that the 

 Mites are at this time smaller than later in the season, points to them 

 being then not long hatched ; for later on, when I have had them from 

 haystacks or lofts, there have been large and small (old and young) 

 together. Looking at the fact of the very nearly allied Cheese Mite, 

 the TyroglyijJms siro, being also a feeder on flour, there seems no 

 reason against this species of Tijroglyphus, also a Cheese Mite, feeding, 

 as Mr. Fraser suggests, on the seeds or on the anther dust of the 

 Grass blossoms. Also, as I suggested (page 45 of my 14th Beport), 

 these Mites do not seem entirely at home in the artificial situations of 

 haystacks or lofts, as they are commonly reported as in great quantities 

 outside, " even to being dropping by shovelfuls." The attack having 

 now been traced so far on towards its source, it may be hoped that in 

 the coming year a little investigation in the field (magnifier in hand) 

 may complete the life-history. Mr. Fraser wrote me as follows : — 



" It is the general practice in hay-making in the West of Scotland 

 (West Highlands), as soon as possible after cutting or mowing (which 

 ranges from the end of June to the end of August), to have the hay 

 collected in large tramps or cocks on the field, where it is allowed to 

 remain for some time. The first appearance of the Mites (to an 

 ordinary observer) are when removing the said cocks or tramps from 

 the field. While forking the hay from the bottom or lower part of the 

 cock on to a cart, at a much higher elevation, it is necessary to raise 

 the hay overhead, and in minute particles, like dust, the Mites 

 fall, and, from the backward position of the worker's head at the 

 time, they stick or adhere to the face in a very short time, causing 

 itchiness or irritation on the skin. At this stage, I think, they are 

 less in size than they are when found, a fortnight or so later on, 

 emerging from the recently made stacks. A certain amount of 

 moisture or damp in the hay (more so in a wet or moist climate, such 

 as along the Atlantic seaboard), as we have in the west, causes a per- 

 spiration or sweating, or perhaps heating in the hay, and this may to 

 a certain extent be the reason why the Mites, being uncomfortable, 

 make their exit to the outside of the heap or stack as the case may be. 

 One remarkable thing is, that they can move along or extend them- 

 selves on an even surface, or wooden floor, for a considerable distance, 

 somewhat in the way the honey-bees do against the hive before 

 s^yarming, only that they difi"er inasmuch that they do not appear to 



