44 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 
The Peacock-lice (Philopterus faleicornis N., P. rectangula- 
tus N.) are very common on the peacock. 
The Catlouse (Zrichodectes subrostratus Nitzsch), Figure 
39, is one of the parasites of the house cat. This species is 
whitish, with the head and thorax pale honey-vellow. 
The Goat-louse ( Trichodectes capre Packard, probably the 
same as 7. limbatus Gervais), Figure 40, lives with other 
species upon the domestic goat. It is reddish yellow, trans- 
versely barred with reddish brown, the abdomen edged with 
red. 
SUB-CLASS, ARACHNIDA. 
ACARINA (Mites). 
These are characterized by their simple, usually rounded or 
oval bodies, in which there is no distinct separation into 
thorax and abdomen. They have eight legs, which are gen- 
erally short, but when young many of them are six-legged. 
The species are mnumerous.- Their habits are very 
diverse ; many are parasitic upon man, various quadrupeds, 
birds, reptiles, insects, etc., some externally and others in- 
ternally. Species have even been found within the abdc- 
minal cavity and skull. Other species live under the water, 
and are parasitic on mollusca. Many attack plants and prove 
very injurious. Others are carnivorous and prey on small 
insects. Some, like the meal-mite, sugar-mite, cheese-mite, 
fig-mite, and many others attack and greatly injure articles of 
food. Many lead a solitary, wandering life, others occur 
together in vast numbers at certain times. 
DERMANYssus Dugés. 
The insects of this genus are small, soft-bodied parasites, 
which infest various birds, bats, insects, and some of them 
are at times parasitic upon man. 
The fifth joint of the palpi is smallest. The lip is sharp. 
The mandibles of the male are forceps-like, with long hooks ; 
those of the female ensiform. The anterior feet are ,the 
longest. Young with six legs. 
t Dermanyssus galling is fouud among the feathers of the 
domestic fowl, and lives by sucking the blood. 
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