184 



STANLEY HIRST. 



anastomose with one another ; the surface is also rendered somewhat uneven by the 

 minute pits from which the hairs spring. Hairs numerous and mostly rather short, 

 but those on the hinder margin are longer, especially the median pair. Hairs on 

 ventral surface few in number and fairly long, but not so long as in L. hilaris^ 

 C. L. Koch. Sternal plate wider than long and with fine linear markings on it, some- 

 what similar to those present on the scutum ; it is provided with three pairs of long 

 fine hairs. Genito-ventral plate rounded off posteriorly and not very wide ; there are 

 five (not six, as figured) transverse lines (similar to those found on the same 

 plate in certain species of the genus Hypoaspis), running across its surface 

 and dividing it into six segments, the first being much the largest and fur- 

 nished with two pairs of hairs, whilst the last is very short and easily overlooked ; 

 in all, there are four pairs of hairs on this plate, and they are long and 

 setiform. There is a very minute platelet on each side of the genito-ventral 



Fig. 2. Laelaps nuttallij Hirst, ^ ; ventral aspect. 



plate, almost opposite the second pair of hairs, and another very similar plate- 

 let is situated further outwards (nearer to the last coxa). The usual comma- 

 shaped platelet is present and it is very different in shape from that of L. hilaris, being 

 narrow and elongated. Anal plate with the anterior margin practically straight, 

 and with the three usaal hairs. Peritreme apparently extending about as far forwards 

 as the middle of the first coxa. Narrow central groove of the lower surface of the 

 capitulum furnished with denticles. Legs : first and second legs stout, especially 

 the latter ; the fourth leg is fairly slender and is the longest ; most of the hairs on 

 the legs are rather short and subspiniform, but slender ; there are one or two strong 

 spines on the second tarsus and two or three on the third tarsus, besides the more 

 slender ones ; fourth tarsus furnished with rather slender setae of moderate length. 

 Colour (in spirit) pale yellow to deep brown. Length of body '62 mm.; width '44 mm. 



