Report of the State Entomologist 323 



tiful carmine red. They infest the water-trough mostly. The water 

 is brought to the yard from a spring about forty rods distant through 

 a lead pipe, and has been there for fifty years. There are myriads of 

 the mites, and they move very slowly. What they will do or where 

 they will go is what w^ would like to know. 



Answer was returned, as follows: The little creatures of which 

 inquiry is made, are not true insects. They belong to the Acarina, 

 not far removed from the spiders, in the order of Arachnida. They 

 are true mites and doubtless pertain to the genus of Bryohia. Within 

 a few years past we have had many accounts of these red mites 

 (probably all are of the same species) occurring on grass, clover, and 

 other vegetation, and entering dwellings at certain times and swarm- 

 ing over bedding, carpets, clothing, furniture, etc., to the great annoy- 

 ance and disgust of the occupants. 



The source of the mites in this instance may be either the ground 

 and plants near the water-trough, or the spring. Examination would, 

 probably show whence they came. They would not harm the cattle 

 or other animals that might be watered at the trough; and in all 

 probability they will soon disappear, perhaps not to be seen again in 

 years. We are glad to receive accounts of all such occurrences of 

 these mites, and would like to have examples sent us that we might 

 see if they belong to the species which has recently been named and 

 described as Bryohia pratensis. Their study has been too long neg- 

 lected in this country, for they are of considerable economic import- 

 ance. Further information of their appearance at Schodack Center 

 would be acceptable — of their continuance, their habits, their 

 extent — if observed elsewhere than in the water-trough, some idea 

 of their number, etc. 



The following extract of a letter received from Dr. R. Morey, of 

 Old Chatham, N. Y., narrates a similar occurrence of what was prob- 

 ably the same mite as the above: 



I found this season [1889] in July some specimens in a watering- 

 trough ij early covering its surface, of which I secured a number to 

 send to you, but owing to illness I failed to do so. When afterward 

 going for more they had disappeared — a heavy rain having inter- 

 vened. They were small mite-like creatures, which could be better 

 examined with a power of about fifty than with the unaided eye, but 

 I was too ill to make the examination. 



The place where these were seen must have been near to that of 

 the Schodack Center occurrence — within the ride of Dr. Morey. It 

 would be of interest could it be ascertained that both were at the 

 same watering- trough, in consecutive years. 



