192 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Disposition of dead animals in foreign cities (T. -S'. Dcpt. Agr., Bureau of 

 Animal Indrntri/ Rpt. JSi'O, pp. ,U6-.i61). — This article contains information obtained 

 through the Department of State relative to the disposal of bodies of animals, the 

 use of such flesh for cat and dog meat, fat for soap making, hoofs for glue making, 

 bones for fertilizer, hides for leather, etc., and in the case of animals dead of con- 

 tagious diseases their complete incineration, as practiced in various European cities. 



Notes on parasites, 50-52, C. W. Stiles and A. Hass.\ll ( U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bureau of Animal Indmfry Rpt. 1899, pp. 558-611, ph. 2, Jigs. 7).— The muscle fluke 

 belonging to the genus Agamodistomum was found by the trichina inspectors of the 

 Bureau. It is possible that the species is identical with A. mis of Europe. It has 

 been reported from Buffalo, New York, by Mr. C. Bullard. It is unlikely that the 

 parasite is transmissible to man, and there is no indication that infested tissue is 

 rendered unfit for food. 



The lung fluke {Paragonimus westermanii) has ])een found in tigers, cats, dogs, hogs, 

 and man. The authors give an elaborate l)i])liography of the species and describe 

 its life history. The occurrence and pathological lesions caused by the worm in 

 different species of hosts are discussed in detail. In 1898 Dr. A. J. Payne forwarded 

 portions of a hog's lung containing specimens of this worm. In all, 52 cases of infes- 

 tation by this .species we''e reported. In the majority of cysts which were examined 

 2 specimens of the worm occurred. They were of a pinkish color, nearly or quite 

 round on cross section, and the largest specimens attained a length of 14 mm. and a 

 diameter of 4 mm. The cysts in the lungs were from 12 to 37 mm. in diameter and 

 contained a chocolate-colored semifluid material, in which many eggs were found. 

 These worms have not been diagnosed in hogs, except on post-mortem examination, 

 and the symptoms are therefore not noted. It is probable that the fluke requires an 

 invertebrate intermediate host, probably moUusk, after leaving swine, and that 

 infection could, therefore, .not be transmitted directly from hogs to man. 



The conical fluke {ximphistoma cervi) has been reported from Europe, Asia, Africa, 

 Australia, Canada, and the United States. Specimens of this species in the United 

 States were repeatedly collected from steers during meat inspection at Sioux City, 

 Iowa. 



Note on the chicken tick (Argas americanus ) , A. Hassali. ( F. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bureau of Animal Industry Bpt. 1899, pp. 496-500, pi. 1, figs. 7). — This species is 

 native to tropical America, and is gradually extending its distribution northward. 

 It has been reported from various parts of Texas as cau.sing loss to poultry raisers. 

 For combating the tick the author recommends thorough application of whitewash 

 in a hot condition. The whitewash may be made more effective l)y adding one 

 quarter of a pound of carbolic acid to each li lbs. of lime. The mixture is then 

 thoroughly applied, so as to fill the cracks of the walls and floors. 



AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING. 



Irrigation investigations in California, E. ]\Iead ( V. S. Senate, 56. Cong., 2. 

 Session, Doc. 108, pp. 73). — A preliminary report on irrigation investigations con- 

 ducted in California during 1900 l)y this Oflace in cooperation with the California 

 Water and Forest Association. It contains a brief statement of the plan, organiza- 

 tion, and outcome of these investigations, Avith extracts from the reports of the agents 

 and experts in charge of the work in different localities in California. 



Irrigation farming in the Southwest, D. A. Willey {Sci. Amer., 84 {1901), 

 No. 4, pp. 53, 54, fig-<- 4; Trade.^man, 44 {1901), Xo. 12, pp. 51, 52, figs. 5).— This is 

 an account of the methods followed in the irrigation of rice on the great southern 

 prairie which extends along the coast from the parish of Saint Mary in Louisiana 

 to the Texas line, with notes on the harvesting and tlirashing of rice and on the 



