ARACHNIDA. 253 
at the wrists and ankles, and then as soon as possible after having been 
exposed to the mites make an entire change of clothing, bathe in hot 
water, and if any indications of mites are present wash the affected 
parts with diluted carbolic acid, one part acid to 50 or 100 parts water. 
In the Tropics rum or whisky is recommended as a wash, and diluted 
alcohol can be used with good results. 
With a little pains it is possible to locate the mites, as they may be 
found before they have completely buried themselves in the skin in the 
center of the little red swelling that has been raised by their prelimi- 
nary irritation, and if they are removed at this stage instead of being 
allowed to bury themselves in the skin the subsequent inflammation 
and itching will be largely prevented. 
Family GAMASID @. 
The family Gamaside contains a large number of small mites, most 
of them being free, or semiparasitic in habit. 
A large number occur as parasites on various species of insects, but 
the two species to be mentioned here occur on birds and are some- 
times very troublesome. 
THE Brirp TICK. 
(Dermanyssus avium Dug.) 
This is a very familiar form to keepers of cage birds, and is known 
in many places as the red mite. It occurs on a great variety of birds, 
and has sometimes been considered to embrace the chicken tick, men- 
tion of which follows, but that is now generally conceded to represent 
a distinct form. The mites are easily seen with the naked eye and 
appear as animated red specks running over the bodies of birds, or on 
the perches, bars of cages, etc. The eggs are laid in cracks or corners 
of the cage, where may be found also the moJted skins and often 
numerous young and old mites. _ 
The attacks on the birds are made, probably, for the most part at 
night, but the mites are usually well filled with blood, which gives 
them their red color. 
The use of perches that are solid, smooth, and free from cracks, and 
the frequent dipping of these in hot water, and the thorough cleansing 
of the entire cage, using boiling water if there are inaccessible cracks, 
will serve to destroy the pests. 
THE POULTRY TICK. 
(Dermanyssus galline DeGeer.) 
One of the most persistent and injurious of the pests of the hennery 
is the little chicken mite, which gathers on the fowls, especially at 
night, and sucks their blood, It is a well-known form, and has been 
