98 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. — Aug., 1922. 

 A Potential Weed. 



South Africa, like other countries, has to contend with many 

 weeds, and information on their occurrence and eradication has heen 

 widely disseminated by the Department. In recent years there has 

 been a rapid increase of weeds to the detriment of our pasturafire, 

 and it is important that their spread should be stayed. While the 

 question of eradicating: the well-known weeds is, of course, of first 

 consideration, it is well to be warned of plants that may develop 

 into weeds unless their further spread is suppressed at once. 

 Dr. Phillips, of the Division of Botany, draws attention in this 

 number of the Journal to the dang-erous presence of a plant {Araujia 

 sericifera) introduced into South Africa many years ag-o and that 

 is now spreading over the Union, It is a creeper and a prolific 

 seeder, and as the seeds are well adapted for wind dissemination 

 they are being- scattered far and wide. While there is not much 

 danger of the plant invading the natural veld, it has already become 

 a nuisance in gardens and is likely to be one in plantations as well 

 where, if allowed to grow unchecked, it has the power to smother 

 tree growth. The article, which is illustrated, describes the 

 plant, and Dr. Phillips advises that where these plants are found 

 growing in gardens and elsewhere it is advisable to destroy them in 

 view of their potential danger. 



An Export Trade in Cantharidin Beetles. 



In the November, 1920, issue of the Journal there was published 

 an aiticlo on mylabris beetles, a large group of which are generally 

 known as " blister beetles," and which have a commercial value. 

 These beetles are dried and reduced to a powder, from which is 

 obtained a crystalline substance known as cantharidin. This is occa- 

 sionally used internally in minute doses as a stimulant and diuretic, 

 but its principal use is in solutions, tinctures, plasters, etc., where a 

 strong irritant is required. The Journal article (which is illustrated) 

 deals with the life-history of these beetles, their food habits, uses, 

 methods of killing, collection and preparation, etc. 



An effort is now being made by the Department of Mines and 

 Industries (Industries Division) to establish a local industry in con- 

 nection with Mylahris ocuJat-a beetles ("Spanish fly" or " Boontje 

 Keever "), which are a source of cantharidin and are found in many 

 parts of the Union. Technical reports obtained from London on a 

 sample of South African mylabris beetles indicate that there is a 

 likelihood of finding a market in the United Kingdom for them, but 

 before anything more definite can be said on this point it will be 

 necessary to forward a commercial sample to London. For this 

 purpose, Mr. E. D. Punter, P.O. Lead Mine, Koster, Transvaal, is 

 acting in co-operation with the Industries Division, and will be pre- 

 pared to receive collections of mylabris beetles from anyone in a 

 position to supply, and prepare them for shipment to England. 

 Persons willing to assist in this matter should communicate direct 

 with Mr. Punter, who will give them full particulars of the proper 

 method of killing and packing the insects. He will also make pay- 

 ment for the beetles at the rate of 2s. 6d. per pound. 



