64 SKIN-EATING ITCH-MITES. 
mites, Sarcoptes mutans, to the second name used above in 
parenthesis. 
These mites possess a round and very flat body, as can 
be seen in the illustration (fig. 34), and they are further 
characterized by the absence of spines on their backs. The 
average size of a female is 0.314 by 0.307 mm.; of a male 
0.230 by 0.165mm. The latter differs not alone in being 
much smaller, butialso by possessing a different shape. 
The disease can be communicated not alone to other 
fowls but even to man and to the horse. 
REMEDIES.—Creolin, which is highly recommended as a 
remedy against itch-mites and other parasites, was tried 
upon a hen with badly infested legs. The comb and head, 
from which the feathers were dropping, showed also the 
presence of mites. The right foot was soaked in a ten per 
cent solution of creolin, the left was soaked in one of five 
per cent, while the head and comb was also washed with 
a solution of the latter strength. On the following day, 
(March 12th), the treatment was repeated, and again on 
April 4. At this latter date a very markedimprovement had 
taken place, and the scab and scales so prominent upon the 
legs before were fast disappearing, and new feathers com- 
menced to grow upon the naked spots upon the head; the 
- brightly colored comb also showed improved health, being 
no longer pale and spotted. But little difference could be de- 
tected between the effects of the two applications of different 
strengths. 
2. Skin-eating Itch-mites (Psoroptes).—Mites be- 
longing to this genus of itch-mites are also very small, and 
can only be studied by means of a microscope. Their round 
or oval body carries a short and thick cylindrical head, 
broader than long, with two claw-like mandibles and two 
three-jointed feelers. The striated skin carries two long 
spines and eight stiff hairs starting from round chitinous 
bands. Beside these the female has stiff hairs upon the back 
and sides of abdomen, but chiefly two larger and two small- 
er spines and two cylindrical projections at the posterior 
end. The male has at the end of the abdomen two clasping 
organs, each of which bears threespines and a sword-shaped 
