ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY — ENTOMOLOGY. 663 



Contamination of the fly with poliomyelitis virus, S. Flexner and P. F. 

 Clark iJou7\ Amer. Med. Assoc, 56 {1011), No. 23, pp. 1717, i7i 8). —Experi- 

 ments conducted with a view to determining whether or not the house fly car- 

 ries the infection of this disease are here reported. They " show that flies 

 contaminated with the virus of poliomyelitis harbor the virus in a living and 

 infectious state for at least forty-eight hours. They do not show that this is 

 the limit of the period, of survival, and they throw no light on the question 

 whether the virus is retained merely as a superficial contamination or whether 

 it can survive in the gastro-iutestinal tract. Experiments relating to these 

 points are in progress." 



The mosquitoes, R. Blanch ard {Les Moustiques. — Histoire Naturelle et 

 Medicale. Paris, 1905, pp. XIII+673, table 1, figs. 316).— The 7 chapters of this 

 work take up the subject as follows: (1) Description and place of mosquitoes 

 in zoological classification (pp. 1^3), (2) anatomy (pp. 44-67), (3) habits 

 and metamorphosis (pp. 68-135), (4) systematic study, with descriptions of 

 the genera and species (pp. 136-430), (5) mosquitoes as pathogenic agents 

 (pp. 431-548), (6) general prophylaxis (pp. 549-599), and (7) the collection 

 and study of mosquitoes, including means of preparation and preservation 

 (pp. 600-618). 



The species and genera recently described are listed in an api^endix (pp. 619- 

 635). The work also includes a bibliography of 23 pages and an index. 



Papers on deciduous fruit insects and insecticides. — Vineyard spraying 

 experiments against the rose-chafer in the Lake Erie Valley, F. Johnson 

 (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Ent. Bui. 97, pt. 3, pp. 53-64, pis. Jf, figs. 6).— Following 

 a brief introduction and account of the habits of the adult and larva, the 

 author considers remedial measures at some length, particularly spraying ex- 

 periments conducted at Northeast, Pa., and observations of spraying opei-ations 

 at other points in the Lake Erie Valley. He states that his observations with 

 the use of a sweetened arsenical do not justify the recommendation of its gen- 

 eral use. Experiments during the season of 1910 indicate that a very thorough 

 application of arsenate of lead when the beetles appear, just before the blossoms 

 open, will reduce its destructiveness to the extent that a profitable crop of 

 fruit can be secured, even in vineyard areas where this insect abounds in 

 destructive numbers. 



Papers on insects affecting stored products, F. H. Chittenden ( U. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Bur. Ent. Bui. 96, pt. 3, pp. 29-52, figs. 4)- — Accounts are given of the 

 lesser and larger grain-borers. 



The lesser grain-borer {Rhizopertha dominica) (pp. 29-47). — This beetle is 

 cosmopolitan, attacks different cereals and several other substances, and is of 

 considerable economic importance, especially in warm and tropical regions. It 

 has already obtained a footing in this country and is frequently brought here 

 from outside sources in stored cereals and other seeds and similar material. 

 So far as known it appears to prefer grain to other dry products but shows an 

 inclination to be omnivorous, feeding also upon drugs and boring into the wood 

 of packing boxes and casks. 



The species was described by Fabricius in 1792 from specimens collected in 

 South America. According to published records, it is, or at least was for years, 

 most injurious in India ; it is thought to be safe to assume that it came origi- 

 nally from India or from some adjacent tropical country. In Europe it is sel- 

 dom found outside of London, Trieste, and a few other large seaports. Its 

 abundance in London is attributed to the large quantities of grain that were 

 brought from India to that port. In the United States it seems to be well 

 established in some southern ports but to have a more or less insecure footing 

 northward, except in large seaports, like New York City. A list of localities 



