1 Dec., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 465 
fruitlets, as well as. elsewhere upon the pineapple plants. These mites, with 
the exception of the one to be last mentioned—that is, carnivorous and preda- 
tory—habitually feed upon moulds, as has been determined in the course of this 
investigation by examining the contents of their alimentary canals. There is, 
however, some evidence that they may casually co-operate with the Tarsonemus 
Mite in determining disease. They are all endowed with very effective chelx 
(or pincer-ending mandibles) that are employed not only in mowing down mould 
fungi, but also in cutting into decaying tissue, and these exceptionally also 
damage that which is sound, Moreover, the mite described as Zyroglyphus 
ananas frequently transports fungus spores that adhere to the long finely 
ciliated bristles with which its body is endowed, andtwo of these even extend for- 
wards over the tips of the mandibles. Again, the second-mentioned mite— 
that is systematically related to the foregoing—has been observed to carry 
fungus spores within the pulvillus or pad, that sleeve-hke surrounds the single 
claw with which each leg is terminated. But were it not that these considera- 
tions endow them with importance in connection with the present memoir it 
would be necessary to describe them, to the end that they may not be con- 
founded by future inquirers with the Tarsonemus Mite itself. Amongst these 
additional mites the following may be particularised :-— 
1. Small brown individuals, referable to the family Oribatide; very 
much larger than any of the other mites particularised, and of a deep-brown 
colour, hey are readily discernible by the naked eye. They feed upon the 
small mould-fungus— Penicillium species—that is almost invariably met with, 
as has been already stated, alike in healthy and diseased fruitlets upon the dry 
and shrivelled-up stamens and pistil. Regarding them and their habits, it may 
be further added that nothing has been observed from which it might be 
inferred that they ever injure sound and healthy plant tissue. 
2. A fungus-eating, elongated, oval-shaped, white-coloured mite endowed 
with but sluggish movements. ‘This is a member of the Tyroglyphide, but the 
precise genus that it represents is as yet undetermined. 
This mite has the legs'and mouth-organs of a pale-brown colour. The egg- 
bearing female is represented on Plate LX X1., Figs. 3 and 4, showing respectively its 
under and upper surface. In this sex the body is very elongate, measuring 675 p (or 
2% inch) in length and 253 ». in breadth, and has a constriction on. each side at a 
short distance behind the second pair of legs. It is also almost entirely glabrous, 
but there are two bristle-like hairs on the upper surface, anterior to the constriction. 
Its eight legs are each very short—those constituting the first and second pairs being 
10 », and those the third and fourth pairs 8 p long. The latter two pairs not 
extending beyond the sides of the body. They are stout and composed each of five 
nearly equal joints, and bear a single terminal claw, with an apparently lobed sleeve- 
like pulvillus. The head is oval with a jointed palp at each side, the upper surface 
being occupied by two large chelate mandibles. 
The eggs are very large, but few in number, not more than five or six constituting 
a batch. hey are oval in shape, and are slightly flattened on one side. ‘They measure 
130-140 p, in length and 60-70 p in breadth. 
3. A fungus-eating, uniformly whitish-coloured acarid related to the 
common Mite of Cheese (Zyroglyphus siro, Linn.). This is figured on Plate 
LXXI. (fig. 5). Although its food largely consists of Penicillium mould, 
as is the case with Nos, 1 and 2, it is suspected to occasionally injure the 
fruitlet also by biting its walls with its formidable pincer-like jaws (vd. 
Fig. 6). Moreover, it appears to have been hitherto undescribed. 
Tyroglyphus ananas, sp. nov. (Plate LXXL, Fig. 5.) Resembles in form and 
clothing 7 siro, Linn., and 7. longior, Gerv.; but in the male sex appears to be 
invariably very much smaller than either, and in the female one of intermediate 
dimensions. The mandibles (Fig. 6), are very large; those of the male—in which 
sex they equal one-fifth total length of mite—heing somewhat more attenuated thougii 
not longer than are those of the opposite one. ‘The movable jaw of these chel, or pincers, 
has three triangular lateral teeth and one terminal one, and of the former the central one - 
is the smallest. ‘The body, that is twice as long as broad, and rounded behind, bears 
