Clare Island Survey — Acarmida. 39 23 



the only previously known representative of the genus, from which it 

 differs amongst other characters in its smaller size and shorter and stouter 

 legs. 



The average size is a little smaller than in F. muscidus \ the length of the 

 Westport example is "92 mm. and the height about '71 mm. The colour of 

 the living mite was not observed ; specimens that have been preserved in 

 glycerine solution are of a pale brown or pinkish-brown tinge ; and the eyes 

 are pigmented with black. 



The skin-sculpture is much as in F. muscidus ; the general surface appears 

 to be closely and finely punctured, and presents in places a striated 

 appearance, while immediately surrounding the eyes there is a small reticulated 

 area resembling the skin-markings of Hygrobates naicus. 



The dorsal groove is moderately wide and straight-sided, showing as a 

 deep cleft on the hinder margin of the body. A short distance behind the 

 eyes in this groove there are two chitinous hair-pores placed close together in 

 the middle line. 



In side view (PI. II., fig. 12a) the body is scarcely so strongly arched as in 

 F. musculus ; a row of about ten hair-bearing pores are arranged in a line close 

 to the margin of the dorsal groove, and a few others are scattered on the sides 

 of the body. The epimeral shield in front of the genital area is straight, and 

 comparatively longer than in F. musculus. 



The capitulum is rather long, narrow, and pointed in front. The epimeral 

 region resembles that of F. muscidus ; the first pair are bluntly rounded or 

 truncated at the apex. 



The genital area (PL II., fig. 12d) measures '143 mm. in length along the 

 frontal plates, and the breadth across the field is '110 mm. ; it is placed closer to 

 the hinder margin than in F. muscidus. Seen from the side it is prominent and 

 angled at the hinder end. The genital discs are rather narrow, and distinctly 

 pointed at the ends in some specimens. 



The anal plate is remarkably short, broad and rounded at the apex 

 (PI. II., fig. 12a"), and quite different from that of F. muscidus, which is 

 prolonged and rather pointed posteriorly. 



The palps (PI. II., fig. 12e) are short and much thinner than the first pair 

 of legs; the length is about "155 mm. At the end of the first segment 

 there is a strong, curved bristle, which is also finely pectinated. The second 

 segment is only very slightly longer than the first ; it is furnished with four 

 or five stout spines, and a long, fine hair springs from its inner distal corner. 

 The third segment is shorter than the first, and on its upper part there are 

 about four very long, fine hairs ; two of these are situated on the inner side. 

 Fourth segment (length '050 mm.), stout, curved outwards on the ventral 



