REVIEWS 7 i 7 



The question of the hibernation of the house-fly is referred to, and attention is 

 directed to Copeman's investigations ; from observations on allied species the author 

 favours the theory that this period is passed in the pupal stage. Bahr's work on 

 dysentery in Fiji, omitted in the first edition, now receives adequate notice, and is 

 followed by an account of some important researches conducted by the author on 

 summer diarrhoea and its relations to meteorological conditions and probable 

 carriage by flies. This subject occupies a considerable portion of the Appendix 

 and is provided with a number of charts demonstrating the relations between 

 bright sunshine, soil temperatures, and deaths from epidemic diarrhoea in Bir- 

 mingham, Manchester, and Cambridge. Greig's investigations, proving the 

 existence of human cholera-carriers and their connection with flies, are discussed, 

 and the interesting observations of Patton, Cragg, and Mitzmain on the habits of 

 certain non-biting, haematophagous Muscids are noted. These flies, being unable 

 to pierce the skin themselves, rely for their supply of blood upon the wounds 

 caused by biting flies ; therefore they may be regarded as probable factors in the 

 dissemination of disease. Additional information, in regard to recent work, is 

 given on Myiasis and on the various parasites and enemies of adult flies and 

 larvae. 



The bibliography has been increased by over one hundred references, and con- 

 stitutes a valuable appendage to the work. H. F. C. 



Some South Indian Insects and Other Animals of Importance, Considered 

 Especially from an Economic Point of View. By T. Bainbrigge 

 Fletcher, R.N., F.L.S., F.E.S., F.Z.S. [Pp. xxii + 565, with 50 plates 

 and 440 text-figures.] (Madras: Printed by the Superintendent, Government 

 Press, 1914. Price 9^. (6 rupees).) 

 MUCH of the matter composing this volume has been derived from information 

 supplied by the records and collections prepared chiefly by the official entomo- 

 logists of Madras. These were formed both before and during Mr. Bainbrigge 

 Fletcher's tenure of office as Government Entomologist to this province, and 

 were overhauled prior to his departure so that they should be in order for his 

 successor. The information obtained proved larger than had been anticipated 

 and was published mainly with the idea of providing a basis for future work. 



The contents may be divided into two sections. The first, comprising twenty- 

 three chapters, contains matter of an introductory nature and general accounts of 

 insect pests, etc. ; the second, forming the main and larger portion of the work, 

 provides information regarding the more important economic species met with in 

 Southern India. This part is not arranged in chapters, but in more or less 

 continuous sections according to the natural orders in which the species are 

 grouped. 



The opening chapters relating to the structure, classification, metamorphosis, 

 means of defence of, and communication amongst, insects are purposely brief but 

 interestingly written and are quite suitable for a book of this nature. The economic 

 aspect of the subject may be said to commence with the useful account of tropisms 

 and their practical importance. Insects in their less obvious relations to plants — 

 insectivorous plants, flower fertilisation and symbiotic relations — are then briefly 

 considered and are followed by chapters on symbiosis and parasitism, and the 

 balance of life. A few pages are devoted to a general consideration of insect 

 pests, in which, by estimating an average of 10 per cent, of all crops to be 

 destroyed by these creatures, the author shows that the annual loss suffered in 

 Madras, by damage to crops alone, is in the region of 200,000,000 rupees. The 



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