SCIENCE- GOSSIP. 



73 



side of the male is unprovided with shields in 

 Haemaphysalis and Dermacentor, whereas RMpi- 

 cephalus has two to four symmetrically disposed at 

 the sides of the anus (fig. 19). Theabsenceof ventral 



Rhipicephalus annulatus 



shields is almost always compensated for in Be r- 

 macentor by the great development of the haunches 

 of the fourth pair of legs (fig. 20). Haemaphysalis 

 is distinguished, independently of the absence of 



Fig. 20. Dermacentor retieulatus. Male. 



ventral shields in the male, by the absence of eyes, 

 and by the form of the second joint of the palpi, 

 which in both sexes makes a lateral- projection 

 more or less marked (fig. 21). 



(e) HAEMAPHYSALIS Koch, 1844. 



Synonyms: fflii2nstoma Koch, 1844; Gonixodes 

 Duges, 4888; Opistodon Canestrini, 1897. 



No eyes ; base of rostrum in a rectangle, twice as 

 wide as long. Palpi conical, second joint having 



Haemaphysalis 



a strong conical lateral projection (fig. 21). Peri- 

 treme round, or shaped like an abbreviated comma. 

 No shields on ventral face of male. Coxae of 

 first pair of legs not bifid, those of the fourth 



pair of normal size in the male. Colour uniform 

 brownish. 



Of this genus twenty-two species are described 

 from Asia, Africa, Europe, and America, one of 

 which, H. punctata, is British. 



Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini and Fanzago, 

 1877-8. 

 Synonyms : Haemaphysalis sulcata Canestrini 

 and Fanzago, 1877-8; Rhipicephalus expositicius 

 Koch, 1877; Haemaphysalis peregrinus Cambridge, 

 1889 ; Herpetobia sulcata Canestrini, 1890. 



Male. Fem.de. 



Fig. 22. Haemaphysalis punctata. 



Female (figs. 22, 23), fasting, 3-44 in length to 

 12 mm. when replete. Dorsal shield deeply in- 

 dented in front to encompass the base of the 

 rostrum. Colour reddish-brown, when replete of a 

 leaden grey, which turns to a deep red-brown in 

 alcohol. Rostrum, shield, and legs always brownish. 

 The body above and below punctuated finely and 

 regularly all over. Sexual orifice opposite the 



Fig. 23. Haemaphysalis punctata. Female, underside. 



coxae of the second pair of legs in both sexe?. 

 Shield coarsely and regularly punctate. Peri- 

 tremes whitish and nearly round. Labium fur- 

 nished with numerous very small teeth, arranged 

 in five rows on each side. Palpi a little longer 

 than the labium, the first joint short and narrow, 

 the second and third much widened on the dorsal 

 face. Legs comparatively short, coxae with a wide 

 short blunt spine ; tarsi short and terminated with 

 a spur, which is small on the first pair. 



Male (fig. 22). Length, 310 mm. Body rather 

 narrow, reddish-brown or yellowish. Dorsal shield 



D 3 



