554 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



usual fermentation tests the colonies were proved to be almost entirely repre- 

 sentative of groups in the colon family. One fly supplied four types of coliform 

 bacilli, tvro gave two each, and two one each. The results are representative 

 in some measure of the intestinal flora of the house fly, as found by several 

 investigators, and also representative of bacteria which may be found in the 

 human intestine. 



Since E. muscm proves to be a potential means of bacterial dissemination not 

 hitherto recognized, its use as a means of reducing or exterminating the house 

 fly is regarded as an expedient of doubtful value. 



In the author's observations the proportion of diseased to apparently sound 

 flies was small. The fungus showed itself almost entirely in Musca domestica, 

 only two parasitized flies of the species Fannia canicularis being discovered. 



A bibliography of 25 titles is included. 



On the predaceaus habits of Scatophaga: A new enemy of Musca domes- 

 tica, C. G. Hewitt (Canad. Ent., 46 (WW, No. 1, pp. 2, 3).— The author reports 

 observations of the habit of Scatophaga stercoraria of feeding upon the bouse 

 fly, Calliphora erpthrocephala, Stomoxys calcitrans, Fannia canicularis, Pollenia 

 rudis, and Orthellia cornicina. Its preference for muscid flies is said to be 

 noticeable. "After seizing their victims, they wrapped their legs around them 

 and the neck of the victim was then pierced from below by thrusts of the 

 proboscis and sucked for a short time. The body was afterwards turned over 

 and the proboscis inserted between the abdominal segments, in which position 

 the fly continued to feed for a long time. In some cases, for example P. rudis, 

 ihe victim's head was completely broken off." 



Little brown ant doing' g-ood work in Hawaii, J. F. Illing worth {Hawaii. 

 Forester and Agr., 10 (1913), No. 12, pp. 370, 371).— The author's investigations 

 indicate that Pheidole megacephala is the principal factor holding house flies 

 in check in Fiji and Hawaii, it being estimated that fully 75 per cent of the 

 flies in Hawaii are destroyed. The ants even attack and destroy the full-grown 

 maggots whenever they appear on the surface of the manure. 



The flea, H. Russell (Cam'bridge, England, 1913, pp. YII-\-125, pi. 1, figs. 

 g). — This is a small popular handbook on the flea, its anatomy, habits, relation 

 to bubonic plague, bibliography, etc. 



Root borers and other grubs in West Indian soils, H. A. Ballou (Imp. 

 Dept. Agr. West Indies Pamphlet 73 (1913), pp. 38, pi. 1, figs. 20).— This 

 pamphlet consists of a selection of insect notes, previously noted from another 

 source (E. S. R., 29, p. S58), to which illustrations have been added. 



The grass grub pest, A. P. W. Thomas (New Zealand Dept. Agr., Indus., 

 and Com. Bill. 27, n. ser. (1913), pp. 14). — This paper presents an account of 

 the natural history of grass grubs of the genus Odontria, recent observations 

 thereon, and methods of prevention. 



The acclimation of Novius cardinalis in France, P. Marchal (Compt. 

 Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 157 (1913), No. 15, pp. 561-564) .—The author reports 

 that sendings of this lady beetle from Italy, Portugal, and the United States 

 have resulted in its establishment in the section of France, which has recently 

 become infested by I eery a pxirchasi. 



Parallelism in morpholog-ical characters and physiological characteristics 

 in scolytid beetles, A. D. Hopkins (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., 26 (1913), pp. 209- 

 211). — This is an abstract of a paper read before the Biological Society of 

 Washington, D. C November 29, 1913. 



Bees: Feeding and feeders, F. A. Jacobsen C^ew Zealand Dept. Agr., IndMS., 

 and Com. Bui. 39, n. ser. (1913), pp. 8, figs. 3). — A brief popular account. 



The occurrence of the Australian cattle tick and the brown dog tick in 

 Key West, Florida (Acarina, Ixodoidea), F. C. Bishopp (Ent. News, 24 



