ACARUS. MITE. 
Generic Character, 
Pedes octo. 
Oculi duo, ad latcra capitis. 
Tentaeula duo, articulata, 
j)ediformia. 
Legs eight. 
Eyes two, situated on each 
side the head.* 
Feelers two, jointed, leg- 
shaped. 
The genus Acarus is extremely extensive, and 
the species differ much in size and habit: in gene- 
ral however the Acari are among the most minute 
of Insects, and are popularly knowni by the name 
of Mites. 
The most familiar species is the Acarus Sira 
or common Cheesc-Mite, so frequently observed 
among various articles of domestic consumption. 
This little animal is one of those Minutiae of Na- 
ture which amply repay the careful investigation 
required in order to obtain a complete idea of all 
its organs •, and it forms a favorite subject of 
microscopic speculation. Our celebrated country- 
man Dr. Hook has long ago published a most 
elegant microscopic figure of the Mite, with a 
good general description 3 but the more exact 
elucidation of its form and natural history seems 
to have been reserved for the penetrating eye of 
