354 LIFE IN AN OLD CHEESE. 



This animal, placed in the family of the Hydrachnella. has 

 been described by De Geer under the name of Acarus 

 aquaticus globosus, and by Duges under that of Hydrachna 

 globosa> on account of its globular form. 



THE CHEESE-MITE. 



From the crust of a dry old cheese, such a kind of cheese 

 as a bon-vivant likes with a glass of " good old ale," a very 

 fine powder often crumbles off, like the dust made by wood- 

 eating worms. 



Examine this powder with your lens, or if you have good 

 eyes, you may make use of them. You will quickly detect 

 something moving in it, and by degrees you will see that this 

 movement pervades the whole mass ; that there is a general 

 stir and commotion in all directions. 



But you find it impossible to distinguish clearly the form of 

 the animals which are thus agitated. You are certain, how- 

 ever, that they are not maggots, for they affect moist cheeses ; 

 besides, they are visible enough to everybody, and at need can 

 make themselves felt upon your hands, and even upon your 

 face, for they have a faculty of launching themselves to a dis- 

 tance by a little manoeuvre familiar enough to serpents : bring- 

 ing the head round towards the tail, they curve themselves like 

 the spring of a watch, then abruptly uncoiling themselves 

 with the help of some solid appui, they fling forth into the air, 

 and are thus launched to very considerable distances. It is a 

 curious species of locomotion, not unworthy the attention of 

 the mechanician. 



