PARASITOLOGY. 73 
(a4 
Marcarapus ANNULATUS (Annulus—a ring), 
Synonyms.—Boéphilus Bovis; Boophilus Annula- 
tus; fever tick; Texas fever tick; Ixodes Bovis. 
HZistory.—Found in southern part of United States 
and in southern Europe. 
Animal Infested.—The ox. 
Description.—The engorged female is about the 
size of the castor bean, has a constriction in the mid- 
dle of the lateral sides, with two longitudinal depres- 
sions anterior to, and three posterior to this con- 
striction, on both dorsal and ventral surfaces. The 
legs are not strong, and are located on the ante- 
rior half of the body. The head is not prominent; 
it is provided with mandibles, palpi and hypostome, 
and the latter is furnished with eight rows of denti- 
cles. The dorsal shield is sma!l and brownish red 
incolor. The surface of the parasite is often marked 
with delicate yellowish white wavy lines. The ex- 
tremity of each leg is provided with a pulvillum, two 
hooklets and a globe shaped apparatus. Breathing 
is by means of a trachea located on either side pos- 
terior to the last pair of legs, and covered by a per- 
forated scale called a Stigmen. The male does not 
become engorged with blood, but remains flat. Its 
dorsal surface is a brownish red color. 
Lite History.—The engorged female drops to the 
ground, seeks a secluded place, as under some ob- 
ject, and begins ovulation (laying eggs) in from 
three to five days. This period lasts about two 
weeks. During the period of ovulation the female 
scarcely moves. The eggs are ovoid in shape and 
brown in color, and are covered with a varnish-like 
substance. The eggs are pushed out from the ante- 
