TARDIGRADA: AUSTRALIA 131 



the group. All of them differ conspicuously and need not be compared in detail. It 

 is enough to say that no one of them has the median plates transversely divided, 

 except the variety exarmatus of E. gladiator. That has large barbs on the inner 

 claws of the fourth leg, the paired plates gape behind, and there are other points of 

 difference. 



Echiniscus spiniger, Richters (28) (Plate XVII. Fig. 24) 



Habitat. Among moss from the bush at Eumundi, Queensland. 



This Australian animal is identified with Richters' species, despite some small 

 differences, which do not appear to be very important. Richters' type has the four 

 lateral spines, b, c, d, and e, nearly equal, and from 30 to 36 p. in length ; the dorsal 

 process over c is a seta of 51 M, and that over d a curved spine of 48 M. 



The Australian form has the spine b shorter, of 8 to 10 /j. in length ;. c, d, and e of 

 about 30 M ; the dorsal spines over c and d are short, of only 10 to 15 /. The dorsal 

 processes vary greatly in size, and may be absent. Many species vary in the same 

 respect. 



The teeth or spines of the fringe on the fourth legs are obtuse. The barbs of the 

 inner claws of the fourth legs are very strong, and are placed farther from the base 

 than in most species, resembling those of E. gladiator. The plates are marked with 

 very fine pellucid dots. Richters says nothing as to the granulation. 



Unfortunately Richters gives no figure of his species, but his description is such 

 that the positions of the spines and setse can be definitely known, and a diagram of 

 the animal can be constructed from it. 



Echiniscus duboisi, Richters (25) (Plate XVII. Figs. 19-20) 



Two varieties of this species occurred in Australia, neither of them agreeing 

 closely with the type. That has the four lateral spines, b, c, d, and e, short, nearly 

 equal, and finely spinulose ; the dorsal spines smooth. 



Description of the Australian varieties. Variety 1 (Fig. 19). Size moderate, 

 length about 250 M, exclusive of the legs. Seta a is 80 ^ in length, and the " auricle " 

 at its base is elongate (about 15 n in length). The four lateral spines are of different 

 lengths b is 25/u long, c 46 n, d 50 M, and e 40 M, but they vary considerably in different 

 individuals. The dorsal spine over c is very short (12 M), and is smooth. It is inserted 

 nearer the median line of the body than the postero -dorsal angle of the plate. The 

 spine over d is 50 M long, flat, and serrate on both margins. 



There are two median plates, and a dotted band behind the second pair, which 

 may be reckoned as a plate or not. The dots on the plates, which Ricliters describes 

 as coarse granules, seem in our specimens to be pits or perforations, irregular in size, 

 and some very large. Each plate of the pairs is divided into two parts by a broad 

 plain baud, ou which there are no dots. The spines of the fringe on the fourth leg 



