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power and note the polygonal reticulation in fresh 
specimens due to the yelk globules. Note that later 
the cuticle ruptures and the white embryonic layer 
and rudimentary malpighian tubules, etc., are visible. 
O. savignyi. —Egg-laying lasts about a week, in 
India, the eggs being shiny black in colour, ovoid, about 
one mm. long. In about a week emerges the 
Larva :—- 
O. moubata. —The larva does not emerge from the 
egg. It, however, does so in the Transvaal form of 
this species (Newstead). 
O. savignyi. —The larvae emerge from the egg in 
about a week. They do not seek blood but remain 
quietly at rest. 
Nymph :— 
O. moubata. —Emerges from the egg in one to two 
weeks. It moults at least three times. 
O. savignyi. —The nymph develops from the 
larva in about a week and is very active, but after feed¬ 
ing becomes quite motionless, resembling a pupa 
(dormant stage). 
Adult :— 
These ticks are mainly nocturnal in their habits, 
and O. moubata and 0. savignyi feed on man principally, 
if not exclusively, and bury themselves in dry earth, 
gravel, etc., during the day, and very readily feign 
death, folding their legs tightly together (O. moubata). 
During feeding, a secretion is poured out of the coxal 
glands, so that the tick is sometimes bathed in fluid. 
A bite may casue considerable ecchymosis. After 
feeding the skin may be moulted, and the tick then 
becomes very active and is ready to feed again. The 
male fertilizes several females, and the same female is 
fertilized by several males (O. savignyi). The rostrum 
has not been seen by us in the vulva of the female. 
