BEETLE MITES, 



219 



CxA.SE Pelops acromios (Herm.). — 14. Magnified sketch of larval form of ditto 



XTTT 



Vj ■ 15. Sketch of perfect insect. Both copied from Nicolet's figures. 



14, IS. 



la of ''eopi acroiir ij 

 Copied from Nicolet. 



om .00060 in lcnj;tii. Cot.ied from NTicol.^t. 



I^ej^ and claw of ditto. Cc^pied from Nicolet. 



Found by M. Nicolet near Versailles. 



Genus Nothrus {Koch). 



Cephalothorax, without lamellar appendages. Tarsi with three 

 homodactyl daws. 



Nos. 

 16, 17. 



Nothrus spiniger {Koch). — 16. Magnified sketch of larval form of ditto. 

 17. Ditto of perfect insect. Both copied from Nicolet's figures. 



The genus Nothrus is one of the most curious of this family. 

 It is a heavy, slow, quadrangular creature, irregular in shape, with 

 the back oftener concave than convex, a peculiarity of which it 

 profits by using it as a sort of basket to contain or carry a pile of 

 dirt, with which it fills or covers it. The abdomen has expan- 

 sions or spines which are used for the same purpose. Eminently 

 tardigrades, says M. Nicolet, these Acarids move with the most 

 extreme slowness, they raise their legs with difficulty, and their 



