O. talaje 61 



Venezuela (Paris Mus.), and two specimens collected by Salle" in Guate- 

 mala. Guerin-Meneville's specimens were collected on the route from 

 Guatemala to Zacapa. Megnin's specimens were sent from Mexico by 

 Duges. Karsch's specimens (in Berlin Mus., identified by Neumann) 

 were collected in New Granada by Goudot. According to Neumann 

 (1901, p. 258) the Paris Museum possesses specimens collected by Gay 

 at Santiago de Chili and by Steinheil in Colombia, and Shauinsland 

 found a nymph on the Island of Laysan, Hawaii (Poppe Coll.). We 

 have examined specimens, determined by Neumann for the British 

 Museum, from native houses at Santana-Totima, Colombia (nymphs 

 2"5 mm. I. ; adults 5 x 2"5 mm.). Guerin-Meneville's specimens measured 

 5 — 7 mm. I.; those of Karsch 5'5 x 3 mm. Banks (1908, p. 19) records 

 specimens from Florida, Texas and San Clemente Island, California. 



Canestrini (1890, p. 536) found his Argas coniceps, together with 

 A. reflexus, in the interstices of the mosaic of the Church of San Marco, 

 Venice. Birula states that several specimens taken near the Sea of Aral 

 are in the Zool. Mus. of the Acad, of Sc, St Petersburg. Canestrini's 

 specimens measured 5 — 6 mm. I. The determination of this species or 

 variety is doubtful. 



This species approaches 0. turicata, but is distinguished especially 

 by the structure of the capitulum and legs. 



Habitat : native houses, attacks man. (See further under Section II 

 for effects of bite, etc.) 



ORNITHODOROS TALAJE var. CAPENSIS Nn„ 1901. 



Figs. 58, 89 and PI. III. 



Lit. : Neumann, 1901, p. 258; 1907, p. 193. 



According to Neumann this variety differs from the American type 

 chiefly in (1) the cheeks or flaps being less developed in width, more 

 separate at their attached borders, which do not appear capable of com- 

 pletely hiding the hypostome and palps and do not attain the level of 

 the ventral surface of the base of capitulum ; (2) by the longer and more 

 abundant hairs on the movable articles of the legs. This variety is 

 based upon numerous specimens collected in Penguin nests, on guano, 

 on Islands off the coast of (?ape Colony (Lounsbury Coll.). It readily 

 attacks fowls when given the opportunity. It abounds in its native 

 home. (Nn. 1901, p. 258.) Through the courtesy of Mr Lounsbury 

 we have been able to examine his specimens. Moreover, the British 



