OF GAMASID MITES FOUND ON RATS. 



121 



Anterior surface of second coxa armed dorsally with a sharp forwardly directed 

 spur ; there are no spurs on the other coxae. Capitvlum more elongated than is 

 the case in D. gallinac, Redi, and the paired hairs on its ventral surface are long 

 and very fine ; the narrow central strip of the ventral surface of the capitulum is 

 armed with a file of minute denticles. Chclicera very long and styliform, as in 

 D. yullinae ; one edge is strongly chitinised, but the greater part of the width of 

 the chelicera is very thin and transparent. Colour (in spirit) reddish brown ; 

 occasionally two or more whitish spots or patches are visible on the surface of 

 the body, but they are evidently due to internal glands showing through the 

 skin. Length of body 1*35 mm. ; of scutum 0*9 mm. 



Fig. 2. — Dcnua/i/jssus (Liponyssvidcs) maris, Hirst, $ ; (ii) tarsus of third leg, (b) tarsus of 



fourth leg, (c) chelicera. 



<3 . Chelicera rather long, but very much shorter than that of the female ; 

 both fingers can be distinguished, but they are placed very close together ; near 

 the base of the fingers, a long slender process, of about the same length as the 

 digits themselves, is given off, and it is furnished with a sharp little tooth 

 (fig. 2c). Tarsi of the legs of the third and fourth pairs long and slender ; and 

 there is a little conical projection near the middle of the ventral surface of the 

 distal portion of these tarsi (fig. 2«, h). 



The only male specimen of this species in my possession is rather badly 

 damaged, hence I cannot describe the plates of the body. 



Material. A number of specimens collected on rats (Mvs rattus) at various 

 localities in the city of Madras (Triplicane, Parktown, Chepawk, Georgetown 

 ( Loth well Market), Pursewakum, Vepery) ; also specimens found on Mus rattus 

 at Colombo. These were received from Br. L. F. Hirst — the Colombo examples 

 being collected by him. Since writing the above description I have received a 

 very large number of specimens of this species taken on Mus rattus at Assiut, 

 Egypt. My best thanks are due to Dr. C. J. Martin, F.R.S., and Mr. A. Bacot 

 for their kindness in lending me this material. 



