754 Journal of Agriculture . [lo Dec, 1908^ 



Dropsy, 



CEdema, Anasarca, Ascites, Etc. 



Dropsy is a condition in wliicii the lymph or fluid portion of the 

 bJood is retained in the cavities of the body or in the tissue. The term 

 CEDEMA applies to dropsy of the connective tissue spaces, while anasarca 

 is oedema limited to subcutaneous tissues. Of the dropsies of the serous 

 cavities, ascites refers to peritoneal or abdominal cavity, hydrothorax 

 to the pleural or chest cavities, hydrocephalus to the arachnoid cavity 

 in the brain, hydrocele to the cavity of the tunica vaginalis surrounding 

 the testicle, and hydrops pericardii to the pericardium or heart sac. 



Dropsical conditions may occur as the result of local diseases, e.g., 

 hydrothorax in pleurisy, and ascites in liver fluke ; or they may be as- 

 sociated with a general condition of debility as in the cedematous and 

 anasarcal conditions of the trunk and limbs in low febrile conditions. 



{J'o be continued.') 



A NEW VEGETABLE PEST. 



The Tomato Weevil. 



{Desiantlia novica, Lea.) 

 C. French, Junr., Assistant Government Entomologist. 



During the last three months many specimens of a small greyish brown 

 weevil (measuring about a quarter of an inch in length, with a V shaped 

 marking on the wing cases and two projections, one on each of the wing 

 cases) were sent in for identification to the Entomological Branch, the 

 persons forwarding them stating that these weevils were destroying great 

 numbers of tomato and other plants at Ascot Vale, Essendon, Preston, 

 and other places, and they requested information regarding this new pest. 

 The insects were unknown and specimens were forwarded to Mr. A. M. Lea, 

 F.E.S., Government Entomologist, Tasmania (he being the leading autho- 

 rity on Curculionidse or Weevils) for naming, and he replied that they were 

 also unknown to him. Regarding the specimens as a new species of 

 weevil he has now named it Desiantha novica. 



These insects are simply in thousands in some gardens and destroy 

 all kinds of vegetables. One grower informs me that he lost eighty tomato 

 plants in a couple of nights, and that one evening alone he collected 638 

 weevils in the space of an hour, and in a week he estimates that he col- 

 lected and destroved some thousands. The insects conceal themselves in 

 the soil and debris during the day, and at night come out to feed ; they 

 devour the whole plant very rapidlv, and should they be disturbed or a 

 light brought near them, they immediately drop to the ground and get out 

 of sight as soon as possible. 



The larva or caterpillar is small, of a pea green colour, and is found 

 in the soil, usually a few inches below the surface, and when about to 

 pupate or turn into the chrysalis it constructs a cocoon made of soil, where 

 it remains for a couple of months, and then emerges as the perfect insect. 



