232 JAS. J. SIMPSON—ENTOMOLOGICAL 
It is important that the name of the host should be accurately determined, 
and therefore, wherever possible, skins of the smaller animals should be sent 
home for identification. Such skins would be returned, if desired. In the case 
of small mammals, the skulls should always be sent with the skins. 
“Jiggers” or “chigoes” are highly specialised fleas, the females of which 
burrow beneath the skin of their hosts, on the more naked portions. They are 
to be found on many kinds of mammals and birds ; and sometimes they present 
the appearance of small warts on the skin. For collecting purposes, they should 
not be pulled out, but, wherever practicable, the infected portion of the skin 
should be cut out and preserved in spirit; or the insects may be killed in situ 
with chloroform and then removed very gently. 
PRESERVING.—Fleas should always be preserved in alcohol; 50 per cent. 
rectified spirit is found to be the most satisfactory strength. Hach tube should 
contain the fleas from one host only, and many specimens should be sent, as 
frequently there are several species of flea on one animal. 
LABELLING.—In every tube a label should be inserted giving the locality, 
altitude, date, collector's name and name of the host; where the name of the 
host is unknown, a number should be given corresponding with one attached to 
the skin. Labels should be written very clearly in soft pencil or Indian ink. 
Packxinc.—When packing tubes for transmission to England, a piece of soft 
crumpled paper should be inserted in each, in order to prevent the contents 
shaking about in transit. Care should also be taken to fill all tubes completely 
with alcohol before they are despatched, so as to leave as small an air bubble as 
possible. Reject all corks that appear defective and see that each cork is well 
rammed home and sealed with wax from a stearine candle. Then place the tubes 
in the receptacles provided for them, and carefully pack these in a covering box 
or tin. 
III.—INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING TICKS. 
Hapitats.—All the domesticated and a large number of wild mammals are 
subject to the attacks of these pests. Some species also are to be found on birds 
(the head being the favourite point of attack), while others are peculiar to 
reptiles and batrachians. Several kinds attack man, especially in the larval 
stages ; but the most important human ticks belong to the genus Ornithodoros 
(family Argasidae). These are not permanent parasites, and must be looked for 
in native huts, rest-places, &c. ; they bite only at mght, and during the day hide 
themselves in the dust on the ground, in the mud-cracks on the floor and walls, 
and also in the thatch. Fowls are subject to the attacks of a similar tick (Argas 
persicus), which may be found under similar conditions in fowl-houses. 
CotuectinG.—Ticks vary greatly in size, not only in the different species, 
but also in the various stages of development. Examples of all sizes found on a 
host should therefore be collected and a liberal supply of each should be sent. 
The males of many species are relatively very small compared with the females, 
and require to be carefully searched for; they may often be found beneath the 
gorged females. Males of Lvodidae may be recognised by having the whole back 
covered with a hard shield. 
