THE LONG-HORNED TICK, OR DEER-TICK. 



685 



insect-powder into the crevices of the cage, dusting the birds well with the same sub- 

 stance, and keeping a small camel's-hair brush charged with oil, with which any stray 

 mite could be at once killed. 



The dark-looking figure in the upper right-hand corner represents the well-known 

 SCARLET MITE, so plentiful on banks and in gardens. It is covered with a soft down, 

 which gives a very rich and pleasing depth to its color. This species is not of large 

 size, but in the East Indies a species is found which is three or four times larger than 

 our own Scarlet Mite. It yields a bright red dye, and is therefore called Trombidium 

 tinctbrium. 



THE two upper figures in this illustration represent creatures of a different family, 

 the Pediculidae. That on the left hand is the Hog-tick, which is found only upon 

 swine, and not universally even upon those animals. It is of moderate dimensions, 

 measuring about one line and a quarter in length. Its thorax is mostly brown, and its 

 abdomen grayish yellow. Mr. Denny, in his " Monographia Anoplurorum," gives the 

 following account of the Hog-tick : 



" H. Suis. This species is found in great abundance on swine, but it does not 

 appear so generally spread as might be expected from the dirty habits of the animals. 

 It most frequently occurs on those fresh 

 imported from the Sister Isle. It was 

 many months before I could obtain a 

 single example. I had applied to both 

 farmers and pig-butchers, neither of whom 

 seemed to approve of the idea which I 

 had conceived of their pigs being lousy, 

 but referred me to those of the Emerald 

 Isle as being sure to gratify my wishes, 

 forgetting, I suspect, that the Irish pigs 

 come to this market to meet English buy- 

 ers. 



I accordingly visited a colony just 

 arrived, where I most certainly met with 

 a ready supply. But here they were con- 

 fined almost entirely to lean animals ; and 

 wherever I found a pig fat and healthy, 

 no game were to be seen. In walking, this 

 species uses the claw and tibial tooth with 

 great facility, which act as finger and 

 thumb." 



The DOG-TICK is apt to be extremely troublesome, not only getting into the fur of 

 the dog, but harboring in their bedding, and almost defying all attempts at destruction. 

 White precipitate seems the best solid substance for this purpose, and a very weak 

 solution of nitric acid answers well as a liquid. But, in both cases, the dog must be 

 muzzled to prevent it from nibbling at its fur, and thus imbibing some of the poison. 

 Its color is ashy flesh, with a slight chequering. The skin is so transparent that the 

 intestine can plainly be seen, of a dull red color. When gorged with blood, the crea- 

 ture becomes of a light scarlet. This species is also found on the ferret. 



THE two lower figures in the same illustration refer to another family of these crea- 

 tures. The HORSE-TICK is found both on the horse and ass, especially when fresh 

 from pasture, and is very common under such circumstances. It is rather a pretty 

 species, with a light chestnut head and thorax, and may be known by the squared 

 thorax and the long club-like first joint of the antennae. 



The LONG-HORNED TICK, or DEER-TICK, seen iii the left hand of the illustration, is 

 also a common species, and is parasitical on the common fallow deer, assembling in 

 great numbers on the inner side of the thigh. The general shape of the parasite can 

 be seen by the engraving. The color of the head and thorax is something like that of 



HOG-TICK. 



Hzematoplnus suls. 



DEER-TICK. 

 Trlchodectes longlcornls. 



DOG-TICK. 



Hxmatoplnus piliferus. 

 HORSE-TICK. 

 Trlchodectes equl. 



