116 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
which lives on plants. It is closely related to the true mites, the itch-insect, 
the little red “spider” of hot-houses, and the well-known Leptus autwmnalis, 
or “ harvest-bug.” The annoying pruritus about the legs produced by the 
latter at the end of the summer, after a walk in the fields, &c., is well known 
to every one; and Dr. Heiberg has lately recorded that the nuisance 
assumed an epidemic form in a village in Denmark. In the present case 
the pruritus was chiefly around the neck and shoulders, and several parasites 
were removed from the eyelids. The plants in the garden were not examined 
to see if plant-mites were very abundant there, as this exact source was not 
suspected at the time. ‘There can be little doubt, I think, that the original 
source must have been certain plants in the garden; that the house pets, 
who were undoubtedly first affected, were agents in the conveyance of the 
main portion of the parasites to the human members of the family, but not 
exclusively, the probability being that many of the people, especially after 
the pet cats and dog were excluded from the house, managed to be infected 
directly from the original source.” 
Papers read. 
“Notes on the African Saturnid@ in the Collection of the Royal Dublin 
Society.” By W. F. Kirby. 
“Descriptions of new Genera and Species of Phytophagous Beetles 
belonging to the Family Cryptocephalide, together with Diagnoses and 
Remarks on previously described Genera.” By Joseph S. Baly, F.L.S. 
“Descriptions of new Species of Phytophagous Beetles belonging to the 
Family Ewmolpide, and a Monograph of the Genus Humolpus.” By Joseph 
S. Baly, F.L.S., &e.—F. G. 
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 
Eastern Persia: An Account of the Journeys of the Persian 
Boundary Commission, 1870—71—72. Vol. I. The Geo- 
graphy and Narratives, by Majors St. Jonny, Lovett, and 
Evan Smita, with an Introduction by Col. Sir F. GoLpsm1p, 
C.B. Vol. II. The Zoology and Geology, by W. T. 
BianrorD, F.R.S. With numerous coloured plates. Published 
by the authority of the Government of India. London: 
Macmillan & Co. 1876. 
Tue object of the mission of which these two handsome volumes 
detail the result was to settle the disputed boundaries on the 
