It has been pointed out by Warburton (1912) that the degree of variation within the species of the genus Rhipicephalus is very considerable, and in view of this fact it is important to investigate the range of a species and the value of the differential structural characters upon which species are based. The great majority of the Rhipicephali are inornate and this, in conjunction with the general lack of distinguishing structural features and the wide variation found within the species, renders determinations difficult. As Rhipicephalus pulchellus, however, possesses a characteristic and well-marked ornamentation, which is subject to but slight variation, any specimen, at least in the case of the males, may be determined without difficulty.