r38 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



BRITISH FRESHWATER MITES. 



By Chari.es D. Soar, KR.M.S. 



^Continued /roil/ Jiai^c 

 2. Hygrohates 7-eticiilaitis Kramer, 1879. 

 PEMALE. — Body : A broad oval, sometimes 

 truncated on the anterior margin, length about 

 1.60 mm., width about 1.30 mm., colouring similar 

 to H. longipalpis. The surface of the body skin 

 is formed into a very fine network, which can be well 

 seen under a ^-inch objective, if focussed on the 

 margin of the body. 



Legs. — First pair about 0.96 mm., fourth pair 

 about 1.66 mm. They are slighter in make than in 

 the preceding mite, and have a much weaker 

 appearance. In colour, generally a pale yellow. 

 The'hairs are about the same as shown in fig. i, Ijut 

 are not quite so vigorous. 



Ei'iMERA. — This is so much the same as in fig. 2, 

 that another drawing is not necessary. 



Fig^. 6. H. rcttculatiis, palpus. 



Pali'I. — It is in these organs (fig. 6) the great 

 difference is seen. On the inner line of the last 

 segment but one are two hairs, wide apart ; in the 

 last species (fig. 3) they will be found close together. 

 Length of palpi is about o. 68 mm . 



Genital Area.— (Fig. 7.) Shows no remarkable 

 difference from fig. 4. 



Male. — A little smaller than the female, with no 

 difference in structure, except in genital area. 



Fig^. 7. //. rcticilIatUSy GENITAL AREA OE FEMALE 



Localities. — Common everywhere. 

 3. Hygrohates nigi-omaciilatiis Lebert, 1879. 



Female. — Body : Oval slightly truncated on the 

 anterior margin. Length about 1.20 mm. \Vidth 

 1.8 mm. Colour yellow. 



Legs. — p'irst pair about l.io mm., fourth pair 

 about 1.80 mm. 



Epimera.— (Fig. 8.) Is very little different to the 

 others of this genus. 



103.) 



Genital Area. — (Fig. 

 emarkable difference. 



8. ) Does not show any 



Fit?. 8. /^- nigi'oiicaculatus. Epimera and Genital area. 



Pali'I. — (Fig. 9.) Length about 0.52 mm. It 

 will be seen the second joint is destitute of the peg or 

 projection, so conspicuous in fig. 6. 



Figf. 9. //. ni^yoiitaculntim. Palpus 



Localities. — Found hitherto in Britain only at 

 Oban, N.B., by Mr. Taverner, in July, 1899. 



GENUS FRONTIPODA KOENIKE, 1891. 

 Piersig gives one species of this genus as German, 

 and Thor mentions only one in his new Norwegian 



Fig. 10. FroiitipoHa Timscnius. Lateral view. 

 Legs removed. 



list. Koch gave four, but I'iersig says they are all 

 the same species. It appears to be the same species 

 that has been found everywhere in Europe, though 

 described by dift'erent names. 



