HARVEST MITES. 131 



CASE dergo its transformation, it hides in the interstices of the soil, 

 becomes a yellowish red n3nTiph, like an tgg^ and rest? immov- 

 able for about twenty days. During that time Duges was 

 able to see, through the semi-transparent skin, the gradual for- 

 mation or development of the eight legs, the additional pair 

 being the last. When perfect it emerges a bright scarlet Trom- 



Trombidium holosericeum, Tronibidium fuligmosum, 



hairs on upper side. liairs on sides. 



bidium. In these insects the hairs with which the body is 

 clothed are peculiar. Those on the back have beads like pins, 

 and are barbed with numerous spinules; those on the under 

 side are also spinulose, but are sharp-pointed, as shown in the 

 woodcut. 



We have been much puzzled to know whether the Trombidium 

 phalangii of Duges is really distinct from the Trombidium holo- 

 sericeum of authors or not, and the impression that remains on 

 our mind is that they are one and the same. There are three 

 st}^les of figure of a Trombidium given by different authors, which 

 must be either this or closely allied to it. There are tv/o extreme 

 ones — the one figured by Duges with slight and slender legs. 

 This is what we find in this country, and it is figured above, and 

 it is what is usually known as holosericeum here. Then there is 

 the figure of T. holosericeum given by Walckenaer (Apteres), in 

 Grifiith's Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, and in Guerin Meneville's 

 Icones, and no doubt other works that may have copied from 

 them, as being reliable authorities. This figure differs from Duges's 

 in having the legs thick, and them as well as the body very hairy. 

 In one or more of these works there is also given a copy of 

 Duge's's T. phalangii as another species. Lastly, there is the 

 figure of T. holosericeum in Hermann's Memoire Apterologique, 



T 2 



