ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY — ENTOMOLOGY. 755 



faces. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the birds tested were not 

 carrying ascospores; that we have no evidence that ascospores are washed down 

 the trees during the winter and spring months; also that following a rain 

 period pycnospores are to be found in abundance on the healthy bark below 

 blight lesions." 



Some problems in the treatment of diseased chestnut trees, R. G. Pierce 

 (Xorth. Nut Growers Assoc. Proc, 3 {1912), pp. ^-J^8). — The author describes 

 some of the problems in the treatment of diseased chestnut trees and means to 

 prevent reinfection. 



Cutting out the cankered areas is advised, and it is stated that spraying with 

 Bordeaux mixture in a rather extensive experiment has proved of value. 

 Seventy trees were sprayed 20 times during the season with considerable suc- 

 cess, while trees sprayed only 3 times were badly infected. One of the problems 

 to be solved is the least number of sprays which will be effective in preventing 

 reinfection. Spraying, it is thought, will only be practicable in the protection 

 of a limited number of trees that are valued for sentimental or other reasons. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



Life zones and crop zones of New Mexico, V. Bailey ( TJ. 8. Dept. Agr., Bur, 

 Biol. Survey, North American Fauna No. S5, pp. 100, pis. 16, figs. 6). — This pub- 

 lication is devoted mainly to a consideration of the life and crop zones of New 

 Mexico with a view to affording practical information as to the areas in which 

 certain specified crops will best thrive. The great range of altitude, together 

 with an extent of nearly 6° of latitude, gives extremes of climate sufficient to 

 include all of the life zones of North America above the Tropical and the lower 

 division of Lower Sonoran, and to give a correspondingly wide range of agri- 

 cultural possibilities. 



The work includes a bibliography of publications bearing upon the life zones 

 and distribution areas in New Mexico and a map intended to facilitate reference 

 to the zones. 



The natural history of the nine-banded armadillo of Texas, H. H. Newman 

 (A7ner. Nat., J,7 {1913), No. 561, pp. 513-539, figs. 7). —This is a brief non- 

 technical summary of the author's studies of the development, cytology, sex, 

 heredity, etc.. of Dasypus novemcinctus texayius. In nature the armadillo is 

 preeminently insectivorous, stomach examinations of freshly caught wild ani- 

 mals having shown the remains of insects, chiefly ants, together with much 

 earth and more or less vegetation. 



The rats of Providence and cheir parasites, G. H. Robinson {Amer. Jour. 

 Pub. Health, 3 {1913), No. 8, pp. 773-776).— This is a report of work conducted 

 from July IS, to the last of December, 1912, in the city of Providence, R. I., at 

 first confined to the water front but later extended to cover the entire city. 



Of 341 rats examined 195 were found infested with a total of 2,053 fleas. Of 

 these Xenopsylla cheopis constituted 75 per cent, Ceratophyllus -fasciatus 22 per 

 cent, Ctenopsyllus musculi 2.5 per cent, and Ctenocephalus canis 0.5 per cent. 

 Twenty-one per cent of all the rats were found to be infested with mites 

 {Lcelaps echidninus) which became more numerous with the onset of cold 

 weather. In one case the author found specimens of Myonyssus decumani, a 

 species said to occur on Mus decumanus in Italy. The common rat louse {Poly- 

 plax spinulosus) was found on 24 per cent of the specimens. Open sores were 

 found on 12 per cent of the rats. 



No numerical study of the occurrence of internal parasites was made, except 

 in cases where the liver was affected. This condition was found in 7 per cent 

 of the rats and was due to the encysted form of the cat tapeworm {Tcenia crassi- 

 20793°— 14 5 



