Clare Island Survey — Acarinida. 39 117 



including the apex of the crista, about 960/*, breadth 506/*. Hair armature 

 sparse and slightly more setose than in R. tardus. The crista is of an exactly- 

 similar type, with only one hair in the front of the anterior sensory area, the 

 latter is less acuminate, and the rod of the crista is decidedly shorter. 



The leg measurements are approximately as follows : — 605/*, 385/*, 407/*, 

 and 594/* ; they are comparatively shorter and more robust than in R. tardus, 

 and the tarsi (length 140*/, breadth 65/*) of the first pair of legs are noticeably 

 less elongate (fig. 355). 



Smaris expalpis (Herrn.) Koch. 



S. impressa Koch, 34, Fasc. xv, fig. 1. 1882. S. impressa Haller 30, 

 p. 314. 1887. S. expalpis Berlese 1, Fasc. xxxix, n. 2. 



Clare Island (Creggan Lough, June) ; Mulranny, September ; Westport 

 district (Belclare, June). 



This interesting mite is of decidedly aquatic habits and seems to be 

 especially fond of sphagnum pools, at least this is so in the Clare Island 

 district. A few fully grown specimens were found during the month of 

 June, and immature examples were met with in September. I have also 

 collected this species from a pond on the bank of the Biver Corrib near 

 Galway, as well as in other parts of Ireland. 



Distribution. — Scandinavia; Germany; France; Italy; Britain (Dr. George 

 records it from Lincolnshire, 28b). 



Family THROMBI DIDAE. 

 Eothrombium siculum Berl. 



A single specimen occurred amongst moss near Lough Fenagh in October. 



The measurements of this specimen are smaller than those recorded for 

 the species by Berlese (16, p. 40). The length of the body is about 742// ; 

 length of tarsus 165/* by 66/* (dorsal view) ; length of tibia 110/*. There is 

 a rather sparse covering of somewhat adpressed spines ranging in length from 

 about 45/* to 60/*. 



Berlese separates this species from the allied E. echinatum chiefly on 

 account of its smaller size and more slender legs. In all probability the 

 Lough Fenagh specimen is an immature example of the present species. 



Distribution. — Sicily (Palermo, in moss, Berlese). 



Podothrombium bicolor (Herm.). 



A single specimen found in the Westport district in April. 



Smaller than the type form as described by Berlese (13, p. 68), and 

 possibly to be referred to a variety of the present species. The measure- 

 ments are length of body 1690/*, breadth, 972 w ; length of tarsus 385/*, 



R.I.A. PROC, VOL. XXXI. Q 39 



