EEPOET OF THE MICEOSCOPIST 



93 



ried from the size of a pin point to that of a small pin head. On removing 

 a small portion of this colored substance, and viewing it under a suitable 

 power of the microscope, I found it to consist of living mites {acari), in 

 various stages of growth. I next removed a small portion of the lung 

 tissue, and, placing it under the microscope, again discovered several 

 living mites. Another portion was removed from the luugs, not ex- 

 ceeding half a grain iii weight, when three more mites were discovered. 

 These last were so lively that it was difiicult to keep them long in view- 

 without changing the glass slips on which they were placed. 



This mite closely resembles Ct/toleichus sarcoptoides (I\I6gnin), although 

 this species has not hitherto been found in such habitats as above de- 

 scribed. jMegnin states that the Cyioleichus sarcoptoides causes the death 

 of both wildand domestic fowl: *' They are found in the air-passages 

 of the lungs, in the bronchial tubes and their divisions, in the boues with 

 wLich the air sacs communicate, and in other cavities. They are also 

 found in the bronchi of birds, and, when they are extremely numerous, 

 cause titillatiocs of the bronchial mucous membrane, indicated by a 

 slight cough, in some cases causing symptoms of asphyxia and conges- 

 tion, to which the birds may succumb." He instances an example in the 

 case of a pheasant, in which, when dissected, this obstruction of the 

 bronchi was well manifested. (See cuts 1 and 2.) 



Cytulcirluis sarcoptoitlea. 



Laminosioptes gallinorum. 



T thinlc it probable that these mites, after they have efleoted a lodg- 

 ment in the lungs, bore through the pleura and invade the. thoracic and 

 abdominal cavities, where they breed in large numbers, producing great 

 irritation and ultimately death. 



About two mouths after the first dissection, a second fowl in a mori- 

 bund condition was brought to me by the same gentlemen who brouiiht 

 the first. The comb of this fowl was highly engorged, and the tips v.t i v 

 black. Its cro]> was greatly distended. It was unable to staud up. 

 breathed with dilliculty, yet exhibited considerable strength when -Alunn 

 to be killed. It had been sickly for the previous four weeks. 1 toi.k 

 the precaution iii this case to remove the skin, so that I could exaiiiine 

 the cellular tissue, v/hcn I observed great numbers of siball, wliitc, 

 opa{pie s])ecl:s, of various dimensions, varying in size from the one !in!i- 

 dredth of an inch to the one-twelfth of an inch in diameter. ^V!le^ 

 viewed under the microscope, the tissue showed within its folds and cell 

 structure numerous mites, which iiroved on examination to be Lamino- 

 sioptcs gaUinornm (Megnin).* 



*For the specific determination of tlicso Mites I am indebted to Dr. C. Y. Kiloy. 



