562 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



to day the number of bacteria present in the water with the number present 

 in a control flask to which no larvfe had been added. The experiments show 

 that the presence of the larvae in drinking water adds very considerably to the 

 number of bacteria present. 



A new genus and two new species of African fruit flies, E. E. Austen (Bui. 

 Ent. Research, 1 {1910), No. 1, pp. 71-77, figs. 2). — Musca vittata of Fabriclus 

 is the type species of the new genus Carpophthoromyia here erected. Two new 

 species belonging to this genus, which were received from Uganda, are described 

 as C. pulchella and C. formosula. 



Glossina palpalis. — A resume (Sleeping Sickness Bur. [Lnndon] Bui. IJf, 

 pp. IfS-SS). — This is a summary of observations on G. palpalis which have been 

 made since the account previously noted (E. S. R., 21. p. 255) was prepared. 



Observations on the life history of Glossina palpalis carried out in the 

 Sleeping Sickness Laboratory at Entebbe, Uganda, E. Degen (Sleeping Sick- 

 ness Bur. [London] Bui. 12, pp. Jf71-Jf75, chart 1). — Further information on the 

 bionomics of this tsetse fly is given. 



Studies of the diptera with internal entomophagous larvae. — I. Parasitic 

 characteristics from the biological, ethological and histological points of 

 view, J. Pantel (Cellule, 26 (1910), pp. 27-216, pis. 6, figs. 26).— Chapter one 

 of this work (pp. 29-104) is devoted to an account of the anatomical and 

 biological characteristics as related to the taking possession of the host, chapter 

 2 (pp. 104-128) to the parasitic life within the host, chapter 3 (pp. 129-lGO) 

 to the direct injuries by the parasite and defensive reactions of the host, and 

 chapter 4 (pp. 1(50-178) to other ethological and biological questions relating 

 to parasitism. Following a resume and conclusions, a glossary is given of some 

 of the terms employed and a bibliography of the more important literature 

 relating to the subject. 



A revision of the species of Agathomyia of the eastern United States, 

 C. W. Johnson (Psyche, 17 (1910), No. 1, pp. 7, 8). — An annotated list with a 

 table for the separation of 5 species of platypezids of this genus. 



A new species of Cordylobia, a genus of African diptera (family Tachi- 

 nidae, subfamily Calliphorinae), the larvae of which are subcutaneous para- 

 sites in man and other mammals, E. E. Austen (Bui. Ent. Research, 1 

 (1910), No. 1, pp. 79-81, fig. 1). — This new species (CordyloMa pr(pgrandis) is 

 described from material collected in Cape C(?lony, Natal, and Rhodesia. 



Some new facts on the bionomics of the California rodent fleas, M. B. 

 MiTZMAiN (Ann. Ent. Soc. Anier., 3 (1910), No. 1, pp. 61-82). — During the 

 campaign that has been conducted against bubonic plague in Califoi-nia the 

 author has studied the parasites associated with the transmission of disease 

 among rodents. The bionomics of rodent fleas in general are here considered, 

 particular attention being given to the squirrel flea (Ceratophgllus acutiis). 



The author has found that the breeding of fleas under laboi-atory conditions 

 can be carried on quite satisfactorily when there is furnished a medium 

 simulating the nest of the host. " Fleas reared from the cocoon kept without a 

 host have never been observed to copulate or oviposit. The eggs are never laid 

 on the host. Oviposition takes places within 36 hours after the female is re- 

 moved from the host. . . . The larvse can live on the bloody egg pellicles 

 and the dejecta of the parent for a period of 5 to 6 days. . . . The Cali- 

 fornia rodent fleas have a greater life in all stages than fleas of the eastern 

 United States and India." The average length of the stages of development in 

 C. acutus are for the egg state, 8 days; larval stage, 28 days; cocoon, 31 days; 

 longevity of the adult, while waiting for a host, 32 days and longer. " Fleas 

 which have never been fed from the time of emergence from the cocoon prove 

 longer lived when starvefl than fleas removed from the host. Rat fleas may 



