NOTES AND QUERIES. 355 



ACAEINA. 



In 1871 I observed and drew the ventral surface of a water mite. :;: 

 At the breeding season the ends of the third pair of legs in the male 

 become inflated, and are kept in the genital orifice. When he em- 

 braces the female he inserts the germinal fluid with the third pair of 

 legs, using them like chop-sticks. No doubt this has been noticed 

 since, but I doubt if in any book, or even paper, on mites, or I must 

 have heard of it. There is a mite here parasitic on a Honey-eater 

 (Prosthemadera nova-zealandica), which has, in the male, claspers to 

 seize the female with. It is unlawful to shoot this bird, but sometimes 

 one can. The mites come and drink at the bird's eyes. — W. F. How- 

 lett (75, Ingestre Street, Wellington, New Zealand). 



* Probably one of the Hydrachnidce. — Ed. 



