200 
NOTES ON THE CRISTA OF SOME 
BRITISH EARTHMITES. | 
¢. F. GEORGE, M:R.C:S., 
Kirton-in-L indsey. 
In some of my former papers on ‘ Some British Earthmites,’ 
figures of the ‘crista’ (sometimes erroneously called the 
‘ sternite’) were given, whilst in others, there is no figure, and 
in others it is not mentioned. I have, however, found that 
this organ is a most important one, and as it remarkably varies 
in figure, often to an extraordinary extent, it may prove of great 
use in determining species. I have good reasons for thinking 
that it is present in all cases, though in some it is difficult to 
see, except by careful dissection. I have, however, received 
from Mr. Soar, figures of such as I have been able to send to 
him. A very casual examination of Mr. Soar’s figures will 
shew how very varied in structure this organ is. 
Fig. a is the crista of Trombidium fuliginosum. It was 
figured by Professor Sig Thor, in his ‘ Forste undersogelse af 
Norges Rhyncholophide ’ in 1900, also by Professor Ivan 
Tragardh, in his ‘ Results of the Swedish Zoological Expedition 
in Egypt and the White Nile in rgor.’ I have examined 
several specimens of this mite, some from Putney, others from 
Naturalist, 
