HEMIPTERA. 169 
Aside from these species of Pedicinus, Gervais describes a species of 
Hematopinus, H. obtusus, from the Semnopithecus maurus. 
The abundance of these vermin upon monkeys can be attested by all 
visitors of zoological gardens or menageries, and the ready means 
adopted by the hosts for their subjugation are equally familiar—a 
method of destruction which, by the way, is said to be adopted by 
many tribes of inferior races belonging to the human species. 
THE SucKING DoG LOUSE. 
(Hematopinus piliferus Burm. ) 
Although the dog has been the closest companion of man among the 
domestic animals from very early times, and consequently this para- 
site, in all probability, was well known to keepers of dogs, it was not 
technically described until about the year 1838. 
It does not appear to have been a very numerous or injurious para- 
site, apparently much less so than the Trichodectes latus infesting the 
same animal, and less annoying than either ticks or 
fleas. Denny says (Monog. Anop. Brit., p. 29): “I 
have found it upon dogs two or three times, but it 
is by no means of common occurrence.” We have 
examined many dogs in quest of it, but only a single 
specimen so far has been our reward. Denny says 
(loc. cit.): “I also received specimens from the fer- 
ret.” It can hardly be inferred, however, that this 
animal is consequently a normal host for the species, 
as such an instance might occur entirely from acci- 
dent, the louse having been transferred from some 
dog to a ferret associated with it. 
This species is somewhat smaller than the lice fre. 98.—Hematopinus 
infesting most of the larger mammals, the full-grown —P#iferus (author's il- 
a ee E . lustration). 
individuals being nearly one-tenth of an inch long. 
It is described generally as of a light-red or ashy flesh color, but evi- 
dently varies as the other species, according to the condition of the 
body as well as the age of specimens. In preserved specimens these 
colors become lighter, assuming a yellowish hue, the abdomen, except 
where darkened by the intestine and its contents, appearing a shade 
lighter than the front part of the body. The abdomen is thickly cov- 
ered with fine hairs and minute warty eminences, these latter when 
magnified about 300 diameters appearing like the scales of a lizard or 
fish. 
Specimens from different breeds of dogs do not appear to have been 
noticed as different, although a form described as H. bicolor by Lucas 
may perhaps be found to present race characteristics. 
