28 MR JAMES MURRAY 



Echiniscus, sp. (Plate I. figs, la, 2c.) 



Description. Plates nine, normally placed, two median, finely granular, lumbar 

 plate trifoliate, fringe on fourth legs, inner claws with small decurved barb. Processes, 

 on each plate of first pair a long dorsal and a long lateral seta, on each plate of second 

 pair a small dorsal, triangular tooth, a pair of long curved setae on the lumbar plate. 



This animal has no very marked peculiarities, and till it is more fully known it 

 cannot be determined whether it is identical with or related to any described species. 

 These Echiniscus skins, in poor condition, may have lost some seise which they possessed 

 in life, and it would therefore be hazardous to attempt to identify them in their present 

 state. No species described precisely agrees with it. 



Echiniscus, sp. (Plate I. figs. 3a, 3b.) 



Description. Small, nine plates, two median. Processes, lateral seta on each 

 plate of first pair, no processes on second pair, pair of long setae on lumbar plate. 

 Granules of moderate size, interrupted at the line of junction of the tail-piece with 

 the lumbar plate, which is deeply trifoliate. Fringe of broad spines on fourth leg, no 

 barbs seen on any claws. No dorsal processes. 



This species also has no conspicuous peculiarity. It is the only Echiniscus I have 

 seen in which there is a line free from granules at the base of the tail-piece, though 

 RICHTERS gives this character for several species. I am not inclined to put much value 

 on this feature for specific distinction, as I think it likely it may be an age-mark. 



In species of Echiniscus destitute of dorsal processes, the lateral processes are usually 

 also absent, except on the head. The possession of lateral setae, with lack of all dorsal 

 processes and barbs on the claws, and the interruption of the granulation at the base 

 of the tail-piece, sufficiently distinguish this from all previously described species. If 

 the example is young, it may be that the species acquires dorsal processes and barbs 

 at later moults. 



The setae and spines of Echiniscus tend to increase in length at each moult, and 

 new ones may appear, while the straight barbs of the outer claws, in those species 

 which possess them, sometimes appear only at a late stage. The decurved spines or 

 barbs of the inner claws, present in the great majority of species, appear, on the other 

 hand, to be of more importance to the larva, and are generally reduced in size in the 

 adult. 



Genus MACROBIOTUS. 



Animals of this genus were extremely numerous, and several species of both sections 

 were found. In the first section the eggs are laid free and singly, and are covered with 

 processes. Three distinct eggs indicated as many species belonging to this section, but 



(ROY. soc. EDIN. TRANS., VOL. XLV., 326.) 



