256 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



On the structure of '* Haller's organ " in the Ixodoidea, (i. H. F. Nuttall, 

 W. F. Cooper, and L. E. Kobinson {Paiasitology, 1 (1908), 2\'o. 3, pp. 238-2Ji2, 

 pi. 1, fig. 1). — The authors doubt that the function of Ha,ller's organ is auditory. 

 They consider tlie structure of the organ, the peculiar antenna-lii^e movements 

 of the first pair of legs, and the results of Lahille's experiments to be strongly 

 in favor of the assumption that it is olfactory in function. 



On the structure of the spiracles of a tick (Haemaphysalis punctata), 

 G. H. F. Nuttall, W. F. Coopek, and L. E. IvOijinson ( I'ara-sHoloi/y, 1 {1908), 

 No. .'i, pp. 3'i7-351, pis. 3). — An account of the structure of the stigmal plates 

 of II. punctata. 



On the presence of an anticoagulin in the salivary glands and intestines 

 of Argas persicus, G. H. F. Nuttall and C. Strickland {Parasitology, 1 

 {1908), No. Ji, pp. 302-310; Proc. Cambridge Phil. 8oc., 15 {1908), No. 1, p. 

 53). — ^Attention is called to tlie work of Sabbataui published in 1898, which 

 shows that the bodies of Ixodes ricinus contain substances which, when in- 

 jected into dogs, prevent the coagulation of the blood and cause toxic symptoms, 

 but do not cause hiemolysis. The following conclusions have been drawn from 

 experiments made with A. persicus obtained from South Africa : 



" There is clinical and experimental evidence that the bites of Argasidse 

 may be occasionally followed by toxic effects which are either local or general 

 in character. 



" This toxic effect may be due either to the peculiar susceptibility of the 

 individual upon whom the bite has been inflicted or to the character of tbe 

 substances injected into the wound by the tick in the act of biting. The cause 

 of the toxic effect remains to be discovered. . . . 



" The salivary glands and intestines of A. persicns contain anticoagulin but 

 no h.'emolysin. 



" The amount of anticoagulin pi'esent in the salivary glands of A. persicus 

 varies considerably. The amount contained in the glands of a single tick may 

 delay the coagulation of 0.02 cc. of human blood for 45 to 95 minutes or in- 

 definitely. The anticoagulin also acts on rabbit's blood. 



" The movements of human leucocytes remain unaffected by exposure to 

 emulsions of the salivary glands of A. persicus. 



" Exceptins' the effects due to the presence of anticoagulins, it has not been 

 established that the bodies or salivary glands of A. persicus contain toxic 

 substances. 



"The anticoagulin in the salivary glands of A. persicus is destroyed by an 

 exposure of 10 minutes to a temperature of 80° C. Its action is partially abol- 

 ished by a similar exposure to 55° C" 



The Spirochsetes: A review of some border-line organisms between ani- 

 mals and plants, H. B. Fantham (Set. Prog. Ticentieth Cent., 3 {1908), No. 9, 

 pp. H8-162, figs. -i). — This is a brief review of our knowledge of the Spiro- 

 chsetes. 



The chub and the Texas horn fly, R. L. Moodie {Amer. Nat., J,3 (1909), No. 

 507, pp. 186-188, fig. 1). — The author reports that in northwestern Nebraska 

 the fish Scmotilus atromaculatus meets cattle, as they enter streams to drink 

 and jmnps out of the water to catch the horn flies {Hwmatobia serrata). 



External parasites on poultry in South Africa, W. A. Humphries (Agr. 

 Jour. Cape Good Hope, 3'/ {1909), No. I. pp. 51-57). — Four parasites of poultry 

 in South Africa here considered are the red mite, fowl louse, sand flea, and 

 tampan. The author considers it probable that more poultry are killed directly 

 or indirectly by the ravages^' of parasites than from all other causes. The fowl 

 tick 01 tampan is considered the most destructive parasite. Methods of 

 treatment are discussed at length. 



