178 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



no flute or hollow on the dorsal surface like Fivnti- 

 foda musculus, but it has very strongly marked 

 dermal glands on the dorsal surface. 



Legs. — Generally partake of the body colour, but 

 much weaker in tone. First legs about 0.44 mm., 

 fourth legs about 0.80 mm. First three pairs 

 of legs have claws, but the fourth pair have 

 a long, stiff bristle at the end of the tarsi, and 



Fig. 2. — Genital Area. 



3. — Epimera. 



two smaller bristles. All legs are well supplied with 

 swimming hairs. 



Epimera. — Extends backwards about 0.76 mm., 

 and forms one group, as shown in fig. i. It is 

 necessary to notice the stiff, short bristles on the 

 anterior margin (fig. 3) of the epimera, because in 

 the other species this is the best point of identification. 



GENiT.-iL Area. — (Fig. 2.) Has three discs on 

 each side of the median line. 



- Localities. — Fairly common. Mr. Taverner has 

 found it in Scotland. Mr. Scourfield in Epping 

 Forest. I have taken it on the Norfolk Broads, and 

 at Keston, in Kent. 



2. Oxus longisetus Berlese, 1888. 



Body. — Very similar in shape to 0. slrigatiis. 

 Length about 0.7 mm. ; width about 0.46 mm. 



Fig. 4. — Oxzts loiigisetics. 



Colour a pale red. I do not think it needs further 

 .description. 



Epimera. — The great point of identification is 

 the long bristles on the anterior margin of the 

 epimera. I have left the palpi and legs out of the 

 drawing, so that these bristles can be easily seen. 



Localities. — It is a rare mite. The only speci- 

 men I have seen was one found near Oban, N.B., by 

 Mr. Taverner in July, 189S, from which the drawing 

 (fig. 4) was made. 



GENUS HYDROCHOREUTES KOCH, 1S42. 



This genus like the last, contains at present only 

 two British species. Again, they are the same two 

 species as described by Piersig from Germany. 



The characteristics of this genus are : Body soft. 

 Legs and palpi long in proportion to length of body. 



Claws to all feet. Six discs, three on each plate. 

 The males have a petiolus, and a peculiar formation 

 to the fourth segment of the third pair of legs. 



I. Hydrochoreutes tingulatiis \s.och, 1842. 



Female. — Body : Oval (fig. 5). Length about 

 0.96 mm.; width, about 0.74 mm. Almost colour- 

 less with brown markings on the dorsal surface. In 

 the centre of the back is a yellow T -shaped mark. 



Fig. £. — HydrocJutrentes uitgidatus. 



Legs. — Very long and slender, compared with size 

 of body. First pair about 1.96 mm. long, fourth pair 

 about 2.04 mm. They are of a very pale blue lint 

 and quite transparent. 



Epimera. — Large, in four groups. The posterior 

 pair slightly angular on the hind margin (fig. 5). 



Palpi. — Long and slender like the legs. About 

 0.82 mm. in length. Quite without the pegs we have 

 noticed in some other mites, but with a large number 

 of hairs. 



Genital Area. — Two plates with three discs on 

 each (fig. 6). Very much like the plates of 

 Hygrobates , and Piona, a genus which we have 

 not yet discussed. 



Fig. 6. 



Fig. 7. 



Fig. 8. 



Hydroclioreutes ungulatus. 

 Fig. 6.— Genital Area. Fig. 7.— Male. Fig. 8.— Petiolus. 



Male. — A little smaller than the female, and of 

 rather different shape (fig. 7), it has the long legs 

 and long palpi as in the female ; but the fourth seg- 

 ment of the third pair of legs near the joint which 

 unites the fifth segment, has a very peculiar sickle 

 like spine. This is opposed to another one, shorter 

 and straighter, having the appearance of a thumb and 

 finger. No doubt these answer the same purpose as 

 the spur we find on some male Arreiiiirus, and the 

 socket arrangement in male Curvipes. I have not 

 figured this, because I think the petiolus is quite 

 sufficient for identification (fig. 8). 



Localities. — Not very common. Dr. George has 

 found it in Lincolnshire, Mr. Scourfield in the Lake 

 district, I have taken it in Epping Forest, and in 

 Worcestershire. 



( To he continued. ) 



