gQ REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 



The life-histories of nearly all the mosquitos which 

 occur in Piisa have now been ascertained, and a special 

 study has been made to discover any efficient natural 

 checks on their increase. Two species of fish have been 

 found to be capable of destroying large numbers of 

 anopheles larvae, while a small water insect seems not 

 unlikely to prove a useful check on culex; experiments on 

 a large scale have not yet been tried. 



Observations on the life-history and habits of ticks 

 have been made, and experiments on the best means of 

 destroying them. 



Some attempts have been made to discover the effect 

 of various physical conditions on mosquitos and other 

 blood-sucking insects, but, though some minor results of 

 interest have been obtained, this very important line of 

 research demands more time than the Second Imperial 

 Entomologist has been able to give. 



A considerable number of specimens have been lent 

 to the Indian Museum in order to assist in the revision 

 of the nomenclature of various groups of Indian diptera, 

 and a large representative collection of tabanidse has 

 been lent to the British Museum to assist in like manner 

 the revision of the family now in progress. 



In January last a number of specimens, drawings and 

 photographs of various blood-sucking species, were con- 

 tributed to an exhibition of disease-carrying insects 

 organised by Dr. Annandale at the Indian Museum. 



In February last an exhibition of all kinds of blood-suck- 

 ing and parasitic insects was arranged for the pathologi- 

 cal section of the Bombay Medical Congress; a few slides 

 and specimens were lent for incorporation with other 

 exhibits; a simplified key to the different kinds of blood- 

 sucking insects, was written for the use of visitors to the 

 exhibition; a paper on the habit of sand flies was read 

 before the pathological section; and a public lecture on 

 blood-sucking insects delivered. The Second Imperial 

 Entomologist derived much pleasure and benefit from the 



