16 



second or third day in the tropics. A shallow trench about 6 inches 

 wide and 4 inches deep with straight, steep sides was constructed to 

 encircle each mound of manure to trap the larvae that try to leave it. 

 For the destruction of adults, properly constructed, baited traps are 

 advocated. They may also be destroyed by means of burning torches 

 when they collect on the roof and walls of sheds at night. The 

 construction of such sheds and of bait traps is described and illustrated. 

 The principle of the bait trap is to attract the flies by means of food, 

 and to induce them to oviposit in the trap. For this purpose the 

 green, partially digested contents of the stomachs and intestines of 

 recently slaughtered cattle proved the most attractive bait. The trap 

 is baited in the early morning, clots of fresh blood being placed on the 

 top of the bait. At dusk the tray is removed and the bait containing 

 large numbers of eggs is placed in the incinerator. The adults soon 

 die after oviposition, and may be swept up at the bottom of the trap 

 once or twice a week. 



LisTON (W. G.). The Use of Hydrocyanic Acid Gas for Fumigation. — 



Indian J I. Med. Res., Calcutta, vii, no. 4, April 1920, pp. 778-802, 

 5 plates, 4 figs. [Received 7th November 1920.] 



The observations made by previous authors in the use of hydrocyanic 

 acid fumigation are reviewed. The results of these show that this gas 

 may be safely used if generated in a machine placed in the open air. 

 Since an experimental machine was demonstrated at a Conference in 

 Lucknow [R.A.E., B., ii, 196] many similar machines have been in 

 use for the fumigation of infested houses in Bombay and Poona. 

 The advantages and disadvantages of various methods of fumigation 

 are discussed ; and the plant erected at the Alexandra Docks, Bombay, 

 for the treatment of soldiers' clothing and kit is described and illustrated. 

 Experiments show that an exposure for two hours to a concentration 

 of hydrocyanic acid gas starting with 100 parts in 100,000 and falling 

 gradually to 30 parts per 100,000 was sufficient to kill bugs, fleas, lice 

 and their eggs. 



Boyd (J. E. M.). The Value of Small Fish regarding the Destruction 

 of Mosquito Larvae. — Jl. R.A.M.C, London, xxxv, no. 5, November 

 1920, pp. 406-409. 



Fish, especially surface feeders such as minnows and sticklebacks, 

 destroy a considerable number of mosquito larvae, particularly in dykes 

 and places where the latter are not protected by weeds. In recent 

 observations on the intestinal contents of Gasierosteus pungitius, 

 as many as seven larvae, probably of Anopheles maadipennis, were 

 found in one individual, the average number being two. 



PicciNiNNi (F.). I Veicoli d'Importazione del Contagio della Peste in 

 Italia e i Mezzi di Difesa. [The Carriers involved in the Importation 

 of Plague into Italy and Methods of Defence.] — Ann. d'Igiene, 

 Rome, XXX, no. 10, October 1920, pp. 604-613. 



Plague is brought to Italy by sea. Of the carriers involved man is 

 the least dangerous, fleas are of veiy slight importance, and merchandise 

 is also neghgible except as a harbourer of the bodies of rats that have 

 died of plague. Rats are by far the most important carriers. The 



