Nuttall (1911) concludes that "The Argasidæ represent the relatively primitive type of ticks because they are less constantly parasitic than are the Ixodidæ. Their nymphs and adults are rapid feeders and chiefly infest the habitat of their hosts. * * * Owing to the Argasidæ infesting the habitats of their hosts, their resistance to prolonged starvation and their rapid feeding habits, they do not need to bring forth a large progeny, because there is less loss of life in the various stages, as compared with the Ixodidæ, prior to their attaining maturity." [Illustration: 46. Argus persicus. Dorsal and ventral aspects. (×4). After Hassell.] Of the Argasidæ, we have in the United States, several species which have been reported as attacking man. _Argas persicus_, the famous "Miana bug" (fig. 46), is a very widely distributed species, being reported from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. It is everywhere preeminently a parasite of fowls. According to Nuttall it is specifically identical with _Argas americanus_ Packard or _Argas miniatus_ Koch, which is commonly found on fowls in the United States, in the South and Southwest. Its habits are comparable to those of the bed-bug. It feeds intermittently, primarily at night, and instead of remaining on its host, it then retreats to cracks and crevices. Hunter and Hooker (1908) record that they have found the larva to remain attached for five or eight days before dropping. Unlike the Ixodidæ, the adults oviposit frequently. [Illustration: 47. Otiobius (Ornithodoros) megnini, head of nymph. After Stiles.] [Illustration: 48. Otiobius (Ornithodoros) megnini, male. (_a_) dorsal, (_b_) ventral aspect. After Nuttall and Warburton.] The most remarkable feature of the biology of this species is the great longevity, especially of the adult. Hunter and Hooker report keeping larvæ confined in summer in pill boxes immediately after hatching for about two months while under similar conditions those of the Ixodid, _Boophilus annulatus_ lived for but two or three days. Many writers have recorded keeping adults for long periods without food. We have kept specimens in a tin box for over a year and a half and at the end of that time a number were still alive. Laboulliene kept unfed adults for over three years. In view of the effectiveness of sulphur in warding off the attacks of Trombidiidæ, it is astonishing to find that Lounsbury has kept adults of _Argas persicus_ for three months in a box nearly filled with flowers of sulphur, with no apparent effect on them. We have already called attention to the occasional serious effects of the bites of this species. While such reports have been frequently discredited there can be no doubt that they have foundation in fact. The readiness with which this tick attacks man, and the extent to which old huts may be infested makes it especially troublesome.