REVIEWS 5i5 



it is impossible not to realise that this group of our mammals has never before 

 been so exhaustively and conscientiously treated. Although dealing thoroughly 

 with the scientific aspect of the various problems involved, there is also a great 

 store of valuable information regarding the habits, habitat and bionomics of the 

 various forms. 



The series, when complete, will undoubtedly form the standard book of 

 reference on the mammals of the British Isles, and one, moreover, that was 

 needed and will not soon become obsolete. It is well illustrated and a book 

 that reflects great credit on the perseverance and knowledge of its authors. 



C. H. O'D. 



Flies in Relation to Disease: Bloodsucking Plies. By Edward Hindle, 

 B.A., Ph.D. [Pp. xv + 398, with 88 illustrations.] (Cambridge Public 

 Health Series. Cambridge : at the University Press, 1914. Price 12s. bd. 

 net.) 



This work, as its title suggests, is a companion to that recently published by 

 Dr. Graham Smith on the non-bloodsucking flies, and with it summarises our 

 present knowledge of the subject specified by the general title " Flies in Relation 

 to Disease." 



After a short introduction, relating more especially to the modes of transmission 

 of pathogenic organisms by biting flies, follow chapters on the structure, biology, 

 and classification of the Diptera. These are accompanied by a list of those species 

 known to transmit infection arranged systematically, and showing the disease or 

 diseases transmitted, the general distribution of the carrier, and the authority 

 responsible for the incrimination. Each family is then treated separately and 

 accounts of its structural characters, bionomics, and classification are given ; useful 

 synoptic tables of the species comprising the more important genera are also 

 included. The description of the diseases follows as far as possible that of the 

 family concerned in their transmission, and at the end of each chapter a list of 

 the more important references to the subject under discussion is provided. Owing 

 to the great importance of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases and the vast 

 amount of work performed in this connection, it is only to be expected that the 

 consideration of this part of the subject occupies much space. In view of the 

 confusion existing in regard to the classification of the Anopheline mosquitoes, 

 a systematic tabulation of the known species only is given. For this purpose the 

 scheme proposed by Christophers is used and the tribe thereby divided into groups 

 of species which correspond to certain of the older " genera." To arrange these 

 insects in a comparatively simple and satisfactory manner is certainly a difficult 

 matter, and although the method adopted is of much interest in displaying natural 

 affinities, it is scarcely suitable for a book of this nature and possibly may confuse 

 rather than enlighten the student. The bloodsucking members of the family 

 Muscida? and their connection with medicine are dealt with at some length, and 

 that important group the Tsetse Flies {Glossina) receives considerable attention. 

 A synopsis of the species of these flies is provided, but is unfortunately hardly up 

 to date, as both Glossina nigrofusca, Newst.,and G. severini, Newst.,are omitted ; 

 of these the former was described in December 1910, the latter in June 1913. 

 Moreover, Glossina austeni, Newst, is still retained in the G. palpalis group of 

 Tsetses, whereas in spite of the hind tarsi being entirely dark the morphological 

 characters of the male genitalia show clearly that it is related to G. morsitans, 

 West. In general, however, errors are comparatively few, although a somewhat 

 serious one occurs on p. 223, where mention is made of Pitlex irritans as the cat 



