92 



REPOET 108^ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the last. There are few creatures more bizarre or remarkable than the njTiiphs of cer- 

 tain Oribatidae. Some bear upon the back concentric rings of beautifully iridescent, 

 membranous, fan-shaped scales (fig. 189). Others carry a collection of their molted 



Fig. 180.— Galumna sp., from below. 

 (Author's illustration.) 



Fig. 181.— Nymph of a Galumna. 

 (Author's illustration.) 



skins, eggshells, bits of dirt, moss, etc. — a veritable peddler's pack of trash. Many 

 species have rows of serrate hairs on their backs. The skin of the back of many nymphs 

 is wrinkled so as to allow for growth. Many of these nymphs were described by early 

 writers on acari as distinct species, or even genera. 



Fig: 182.— Galumna hubbardi. 

 illustration.) 



(Author' 



Fig. 183.— Galumna persimilis. (Original.) 



The nymphal period is (he in<ist important in the life of these mites; it is the time 

 of growth, of adaptation to its environment, and often of bright coloration. Some 

 species have the body a clear j)ink, crimson, delicate green, or golden yellow; in many 

 forms there is a lai-ge dark brown or black spot behind at each side. Those species 



