SjB 
Annals of tile Transvaal Museum. 
OENITHODOEOS SAVIGNYI, var. CAECUS, '{NEUMANN .) 
O. savignyi (Audouin), var. coecus, Neumann' (1901). 
Plate I, figures a to e; Plate III, figures g , h. 
Tliis variety differs from the type in the following points : r The 
body is generally more swollen; the eyes are absent. 
The females are 9 to 11.5 nun. long by 6.5 to 8.5 nun. wide; 
males, 8.5 to 9 mm. long by 6.5 to T mm. wide. The genital opening 
of the female is long and narrow, opposite the posterior edge of 
coxae I, that of the male is short and wide, and opposite coxae II. 
Nymph resembles the adult in all respects regarding shape, 
integument, and grooves. The colour is light yellow when first 
transformed from the larva ; later, deep bluish after feeding ; legs 
translucent; length when first transformed 1 to 1.5 mm., width 0.75 
to 1 mm. Genital pore lacking. Rostrum, as in adult, projects some- 
what beyond anterior edge of body. Mandibles as in male and female ; 
hypostome (II, /) in young nymph bears five transverse rows of two 
teeth each on each half, with numerous crenulations, posterior teeth 
extending furthest along the outer margin. Stigmata as in adult; 
anus circular, one large spine on each valve near its anterior end. 
Legs as in adult. 
Larva. — When first hatched, nearly circular in outline, sides 
slightly depressed and parallel, 1 mm. long and half as thick as long; 
later, it expands slightly, becomes thinner, and, when ready to 
transform to nymph, is 1 to 1.5 mm. long by 0.75 to 1 mm. wide. 
Colour light brownish yellow ; legs translucent. Integument without 
papillae, but possessing fine transverse striations ; no grooves and no 
hairs; sexual groove lacking. Rostrum projects beyond anterior edge 
nearly its whole length ; mandibles often cannot be made out plainly, 
but bear same characters as adults; hypostome (II, e) small, deeply 
divided at tip, small denticles at tip, then four rows of teeth, four 
teeth each to inner rows, but only three teeth in outer rows ; two 
large spines at base. Palpi thick, cylindrical ; articles all short and 
thick, a few stout spines near distal portions of articles. No 
indications of stigmata. Anus always concealed by a mass of white 
secretions in rectum. Legs stout ; no tubercles present as in adults. 
Becomes whitish before moulting time. 
Eggs nearly spherical in shape, 0.9 mm. long by 0.8 mm. wide; 
dark reddish brown in colour ; surface smooth and shiny. 
Hosts. — Man, fowls, sheep, goats, cattle, and other animals. 
Habitat. — Eastern Africa, including German East Africa, 
Mogambique, Angola, German South-West Africa, Upper Zambesi, 
Congo, Transvaal, Natal, Cape Colony, Nubia, Abyssinia, Egypt, 
Southern Basin of Lake Tchad. Besides being found in sand in 
desert-like places, it is very common in native huts, where it attacks 
the inhabitants. 
This tick was originally given the name of Tampan by 
Livingstone, being the name employed by certain native tribes along 
the Zambesi. In Sesuto it is known as Mglmrulu. It occurs in the 
warmer parts of the Transvaal, where it often becomes a serious 
nuisance at outspans and in native huts, and occasionally in houses of 
whites. The life history is much like that of Argas persicus, i.e. 
