THE 



GOLD-SPOTTED ACARUS. 



Generic Character. 



Eight Legs, 



Two Eyes, fituated on the fides of the head. 

 Two Tentacula, jointed, and fhaped like feet. 



Specific Character. 

 ORBICULAR FLATTISH ACARUS, with 

 gold-coloured fpots ; the body marked above 

 by numerous impreffed points; the abdomen 

 fubcrenated. 



The genus Acarus, which feems to be diffufed 

 throughout all parts of the world, and of which a great 

 many fpecies muft doubtlefs remain ftill undifcovered, 

 is, in general, diftinguimed by the extraordinary mi- 

 nutenefs of its appearance ; feveral kinds being fcarce 

 vifible without clofe infpedtion, and eafily efcaping the 

 notice of a common eye. Some fpecies however fo far 

 exceed the reft of the genus in fize as to be fufficiently 

 confpicuous even at a moderate diftance ; for inftance, 

 the Acarus Ricinus or common tick, fo frequently feen 

 on dogs ; the Acarus columbarum, not lefs plentiful on 

 pigeons and fome other animals ; and the Acarus holoferi- 

 ceus or velvet mite, fo remarkable for its bright fcarlet 

 colour and downy furface. In general the Acari are much 



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