1 1 2 ARACHNOIDEA. 



CASE do when they burrow under the skin ? Do they suck the blood 

 or not ? Some entomologists of eminence have thought so ; 

 and certainly the Trombidii have a double tubular sucker, and 

 no doubt can do it if they choose. 



This troublesome insect most prevails near the sea-shore, where 

 the soil is light. It begins to appear in the early part of July, 

 and is very troublesome in August. Then great numbers may be 

 observed crawling upon and over all green things, — on turnips, 

 grass, and corn. Cats suffer greatly from them through their 

 prowling habits in gardens, so much so, that they are sometimes 

 thought to be suffering from the itch, when it is only from daily 

 reinforcements of this tick. It can always, however, be easily dis- 

 tinguished from the itch insect. It attacks the cat's head, while the 

 harvest mite has no particular point of preference, but is naturally 

 found chiefly on the feet and legs, which are most exposed to it. 



When examined under the microscope, the lower part of the 

 body appears to be coated with stiff bristles. It is provided with 

 a tubular snout, formed by the two mandibles, which is generally 

 concealed or sheathed, but which may sometimes be distinctly 

 seen. On the top of the head are two little processes, or sharp 

 implements, which turn outward each way. 



The larval form is that in which this species is generally en- 

 countered ; and, although it has for long been supposed that it 

 was merely the larva of a similar mite, yet it is only a few years 

 since the fact was determined by direct observation. This, how- 

 ever, has now been done, and we find a figure of the perfect 

 eight-footed insect, in " L'Insectologie Agricole " (1868), by M. 

 Megnin, who observed them. 



Kirby and Spence mention a similar insect which occurs in 

 Brazil, abounding in the rainy season, particularly during the 

 gleams of 'sunshine or fine days that intervene, as small as a 

 point, and moving very fast. These animals, say they, get upon 

 the linen and cover it in a moment ; afterwards they insinuate 

 themselves into the skin, and occasion a most intolerable itching. 



