South African Hydrachnids. 457 



ponds between Zeekoe Vlei and Eetreat Station, Cape Flats 

 (March, 1900). 



VIII. Family ARRENURID^ Sig Thor, 1900 (30). 



IX. Gen. AEEENUEUS Dug6s, 1834 (6). 



13. Areenueus puecelli (^ , n. sp. 

 Plate XX., figs. 31-34. 



Length of body 0-58 mm. 



Width „ 0-48 mm. 



This mite belongs to the group of Arrenurus integrator— forpicatus 

 (subgen. Micrurus, K. Thon) (33), and is one of the smallest African 

 species of Arrenurus at present known. 



The colour is probably reddish-brown. 



The contour of the body, seen from above (fig. 31) or from below 

 (fig. 32), is broadly elliptical, with an incision in front and another 

 behind. The anterior incision is shallow and rounded, while the 

 posterior incision has a small, inner, narrower part within which 

 a diminutive petiolus peeps out (fig. 33). At the sides of the 

 posterior incision the margin of the body forms a pair of small 

 angles. Five pairs of marginal hairs are attached to this hinder 

 part of the body (tig. 33). The dorsal side is a little convex and 

 very uniform, without dorsal humps. The dorsal line is also equally 

 elliptical, curving outwards behind (fig. 31). 



The ventral side presents no very characteristic differences. The 

 ejnmera are of the usual size, rounded, and furnished with the usual 

 pores. The genital opening is small with the usual small valves. 

 The pore-plates are small, very simple, almost straight, elliptical, 

 rounded at the ends, and provided with fine pores. 



The legs are short but normal ; the fourth pair has no process 

 (spur) on the fourth segment. 



Maxillary Organs. — The maxillary plate is small. The short, 

 finely pored palps (fig. 34) are well developed, the second segment 

 being furnished with 3 bristles. The fourth segment has a large 

 straight spine near the flexor side and 2 small but conspicuous 

 prehensile hairs, the inner one being bent. The fifth segment 

 (claw) is cleft, with a small hair internally and a long one externally. 

 I have not succeeded in dissecting the mandibles, the description of 

 which will be made when more specimens are available. 



Locality. — Mr. Purcell collected 1 <? at Bergvliet Farm, Constantia 

 Area, near Capetown (May, 1896) (Eeg. No. 4585). 



