37 4 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



Echiniscus gladiator Murray. 



Type. — One example on Slievemore, Achill, between 1,000 and 2,000 feet. 



Variety exarmatus. — Abundant on Slievemore, from 1,000 feet to the top, 

 and at all elevations on Clare Island ; Belclare. Larvae and skins with eggs 

 frequent. 



On mountains the variety is usually found on the higher levels and the 

 type lower down. In Ireland the variety was abundant from sea-level to the 

 highest hills, and the type was extremely scarce. 



Echiniscus testudo (Doyere). (Plate II., figs. 7a-7b.) 



Habitat. — Among aquatic mosses (Cinclidotus) growing on stones at the 

 margin of a small lake near Castlebar railway station. 



The Irish example differs from that figured by Doyere in lacking seta b ; 

 but Doyere says that most of the specimens obtained in Paris were without 

 this seta (which is now called b). The plates are more finely dotted than 

 Doyere shows in his figure. The habitat is different, Doyere's animal living 

 among the moss of roofs, etc., and therefore of the kind that dries frequently. 

 But the water-bears do not strictly confine themselves to certain habitats, 

 and an aquatic species may casually occur in moss, and vice versa. 



Echiniscus crassus Richters. (Plate I., figs. 2a-2c.) 



Habitat. — Among Cinclidotus from the margin of a small lake at Castlebar, 

 extremely abundant. 



Adults about 400 /a in length, by 200// in width. Seta a 80 n, b 155 fi, 

 c 220 n, d 150 n ; spine over c 50 /i, over d 60 fi ; claws 30 fi ; skin of 250 fx long 

 with three eggs of 60^ by 50 [i. Larva 160^ long, exclusive of legs; only 

 lateral seta a and d, a 70 /n, d 110 ji ; over c and d curved spines of 25 to 30 fi ; 

 claws 20 fi. Dots on plates large circles, each surrounded by a hexagon 

 (fig. 2 c), the largest in middle of plates about 6 fi centre to centre. Upper 

 pah- of cirri near the mouth, shaped like spear-heads (fig. 2 b). Three median 

 plates. Fringe of large triangular spines, separated at their bases. Small 

 barbs near base of inner claws. 



As Professor Eichters gave no figure of his species, the larva and some 

 details are here figured. This is, I believe, the first record of the species 

 outside of Iceland. 



Distribution. — Iceland, Scotland (not previously recorded), Ireland. 



Echiniscus militaris sp. n. (Plate I., figs. 1a-1c.) 

 Specific characters. — Small, red. Plates nine, two pairs, two median ; dots 



