54 
LOUSE OF THE POCKET GOPHER. 
( Trichodectes geomydis, n. sp.) 
Related to the Trichodectes infesting the larger mammals is a species 
which has been taken in immense numbers from the Pocket Gopher 
(Geomys bursarius ), at Ames, Iowa. It was first taken in 1883 and 
since then has been collected from a great number of individuals, and 
I have also seen specimens taken from the western gopher, Thomomys, 
in a collection of parasites kindly loaned me by Mr. 8. E. Cassino. 
Body robust and rather hairy. Antenne very long, the basal 
segment enlarged, the head with a deep semicircular incision in 
front. 
The head is rather wider than long and the antenne are situ- 
) ated somewhat posterior to the middle and usually directed 
backward, very large and long, the joints nearly equal in length, 
but the basalare much enlarged in the male. Head with a deep 
semicircular incision on the otherwise semicircular anterior 
border, the posterior border slightly trilobed. Thorax short and 
broad ; suture distinct ; abdomen ovate, tapering regularly and 
rapidly to the analsegment. Genital apparatus of male distinct. 
The hairs are distributed evenly over border of head and sides 
Fic. 42.—Trichodectes of body ; four central segments of abdomen with transverse rows 
geomydis. (Original.) oF stronger hairs or weak spines, and the lateral posterior angles 
of all segments but the first with long bristles. Length, 1 millimetre. 
The antenne in male and the deep frontal incision separate this from any species 
known to me, and I think there is no question as to its being a distinct species. 
