EUPODIM:, GAMASID^: 



491 



the author himself was of opinion that the mite had reached the urine from 

 outside. 



We are certainly acquainted with mites living endoparasitically, namely, the 

 Cysticolcc, Analgesin<z, of which Laminosioptes galtinarum live in the intramuscular 

 and subcutaneous connective tissue of fowls, and Cytoleichus sarcoptoides in their 

 air sacs. Another kind of mite (Halarackne halichoeri] is occasionally found in the 

 nasal mucous membrane of the seal (Halichcerus grypus), and, quite recently, 

 Pneumonyssus simicola, which is more nearly related to Halarachne, has been found 

 in the lung of Cynocephalus sp. It is therefore not improbable that endoparasitic 

 mites are found in man ; but no definite discovery has yet been made. 



Family. Eupodidae. 



Small tracheate mites, with moderately long or short pedipalpi, composed of 

 four segments, of which the last segments bend ; cheliceroe forceps-shaped, with 

 serrated edges ; legs with two claws, more rarely with one, and terminating in 

 a tuft ornamented with fine hairs; genital orifices on the abdomen, surrounded 

 by a circle of little hairs. Most species live free one lives parasitically on the 

 bodies of slugs. 



Genus. Tydeus, Koch. 

 Tydeus molestus, Moniez, 1889. 



Male, 0*2 mm. in length, 0*125 mm - m breadth. Females, 0*225 mm. 

 in length, 0*135 mm - i n breadth; gravid female 0*315 to 0*360 mm. 

 in length and 0*180 mm. 

 in breadth. They were 

 observed by Moniez on 

 an estate in Belgium, 

 whither the creature 

 had apparently been im- 

 ported twenty-five years 

 previously with Peru- 

 vian guano ; they ap- 

 peared regularly in the 



FIG. 356. Tydeus molestus : seen in profile. 

 (After Moniez.) 



Enlarged. 



summer and remained 



until the first frost set 



in; they were found on grass-plots, on trees and bushes in masses; 



they regularly attacked human beings, mammals and birds, tormenting 



their hosts in a terrible manner. 



Family. Gamasidae (Coleopterous or Insect Mites). 



Cheliceras chelate or styliform ; pedipalpi filiform ; the legs are composed of six 

 segments with two terminal ungues and a bladder-like sucking disc [caruncle 

 F. V. T.]. Stigmata situated between the third and fourth pairs of legs j the 

 cuticle thickened, leather-like ; no eyes ; the larvae have six legs. 



The Gamasidce are predaceous on small insects and other mites ; some are 

 parasitic on insects, and one is noticeable as a pest on birds, etc. 



3 1 



