Feb. '08] JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 73 



taken from Louisiana to Cuba often sicken and die, possibly due to a 

 disease transmitted by ticks. 



That various parasites exist in the blood of animals, many of which 

 are at present unknown, there can be no doubt, although the great 

 activity along this line of investigation during the past few years has 

 brought many to light. 



The possibility that diseases which are transmitted through the 

 agency of ticks may be introduced into this country must be consid- 

 ered. If such a disease as is suggested exists in Cuba, it might be 

 introduced into this country with returning dogs. Prof. Lounsbury 

 states that the malignant jaundice of dogs in South Africa and 

 India has already been introduced into France and that it is likely 

 to be introduced into this country. He states that should Angora 

 goats be brought to this country from South Africa that they might 

 bring heartwater which is so common on the veldts of that country. 

 We trust, however, that the rigid inspection of animals entering this 

 country by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau 

 of Animal Industry, may prevent the introduction of such diseases. 



While the scarcity of ticks in the colder sections might exclude the 

 transmission of these diseases, yet in the warmer parts of our country, 

 where the species and individual ticks are numerous, an intermediate 

 tick host might readily adapt itself. It must be emphasized that the 

 prevention of the importation of ticks is not sufficient. The danger 

 is in animals, the blood of which is infectious, that may be attacked 

 by native ticks. 



The rapid development in our knowledge of the active agents in 

 the transmission of diseases indicates the opportunities and possibili- 

 ties that may result from a better knowledge of this group of para- 

 sites, and emphasizes the importance of a better acquaintance with 

 the life history and habits of our North American ticks. 



In this broad field of investigation it remains for the entomologist 

 in this country to elucidate the biology of the ticks, as has been so 

 ably done in South Africa by Lounsbury. 



I have prepared the following table which shows graphically this 

 relation of ticks to disease : 



