40 
CORN AND GRASS. 
Mites (in Hay). Tyroglyphus longior, Gervais. 
T. longior (from fig. by Eumoze and Kobin): claw and sucker of Tyroglyphus, 
right-hand side (from Murray’s * Aptera ’) ; claw and sucker on left-hand side, 
figured by Ed. from life. All magnified.* 
In tlie course of November (in 1886) specimens, or rather small 
masses of Mites (or Acari ), were forwarded to me by the Editor of the 
‘ Farmers’ Gazette,’ Dublin, on the part of Mr. T. Robinson, Land 
Steward to Sir John Gough, Knockcreven, Clonmel, with the informa¬ 
tion that they were dropping in great numbers from the sides of a 
hayrick, and the precise name and nature of the infestation was 
wished for. 
The Mites did not appear to me to differ from the kind of “ Cheese 
Mite” scientifically known as the Tyroglyphus longior; but, as I had 
not especially studied the Acari , and the presence of Cheese Mites in 
a haystack was then an entirely new observation to me, I distrusted 
my own views, and suggested that application should be made to 
Mr. Albert Michael, F.L.S., as a most trustworthy authority. 
Mr. Michael found on examination that the Mites were, as sup¬ 
posed, the species of Cheese Mites known as the T. longior , and further 
added much valuable information, which, by the courtesy of the Editor 
of the ‘Farmers’ Gazette’ in having the communication copied for me, 
I give on the following pages. I did not insert the observations in my 
Report for 1886, as I was not then aware of it being other than a quite 
exceptional occurrence. 
Since then, however, notes of another apparently similar attack 
were sent me, and at the beginning of October of the present year 
(1890) I had again notes sent of the presence of what appeared to me 
to be precisely the same kind of Mite dropping in vast numbers from 
* The real size can hardly be conveyed so as to give any clear idea. It is rather 
more than half the 25th of an inch in length. 
