125 



Toxorhynckitcs marshalli is common in Calcutta. The members 

 of this genus destroy 5/f5-o;;i_ym spp., but have not been observed to 

 attack AnopheHne larvae. 



Malaria has been increasing in Calcutta during the last few years, 

 and the malarial parasite is always present. The abundance of 

 A. stephcnsi points to the need for further investigations and for 

 active remedial measures, supported by adequate legal powers. The 

 best measure would be to introduce a continuous water supply, and 

 this would also control Stcgomyia. 



Cragg (F. W.). The Maggot Trap : A Means for the Safe Disposal 



oJ Horse Manure and similar Refuse.— I ml. Jl. Med. Res., Calcutta, 



Spec. Ind. Sci. Congress no., 1920, pp. 18-21 [Received 30th 



May 1921.] 



A maggot trap, the principle of which has already been noticed 



[R.A.E., B, iii, 134] is advocated for the destruction of the larvae 



of house-flies [Musca domcstica] in India. The breeding of mosquitos 



in the trough 'may be prevented by frequently changing the water. 



Cragg (F. W.). A Note on Relapsing Fever in India, with special 

 reference to its Seasonal Prevalence. — Ind. Jl. Med. Res., Calcutta, 

 Spec. Ind. Sci. Congress no., 1920, pp. 22-28. [Received 30th 

 May 1921.] 



In the United Provinces epidemics of recurrent fever appear to occur 

 chiefly in the hottest part of the year— in March, April and May. It 

 therefore seems very unlikely that lice, Pediculus, are the trans- 

 mitting agents in these epidemics. No doubt distinct forms of the 

 disease occur, and should a form prove to be transmitted otherwise 

 than by the louse, it will have to be regarded as a separate entity in 

 spite oif clinical similarity and the apparent identity of the organism. 

 Brown has suggested a Pentatomid bug, Bagrada picta, as a possible Y, 

 transmitting agent. 



Cragg (F. W.). The Distribution of the Indian Species of the Genus 

 Xenopsylla, with Reference to the Immunity of certain Areas 

 from Plague Epidemics.— /»(! Jl. Med. Res., Calcutta, Spec. 

 Ind. Sci. Congress no., 1920, pp. 29-34. [Received 30th May 



1921.] ' : 



The Plague Commission in India recognised only one flea of the y 

 genus Xenopsylla on rats. This species, A', cheopis, has until recently \ 



been universafly regarded as the predominant species on rats in 

 tropical and sub-tropical climates, and as the transmitter of plague. 

 The predominant species in Colombo, however, is A', astia [R.A.E., 



B, ii, 38.] Actual transmission of the disease by this species was effected 

 with great dilflculty. In collections of fleas from many different 

 parts of India the various species were represented as foflows : 64-5 

 per cent. X. cheopis, 29-8 per cent. X. astia, 2'7 per cent. X. 

 hrasiliensis and 2-89 per cent, a species of Ceraiophylliis distinct from 



C. Jasciatus. Other species of Xenopsylla may be disclosed when 

 more time can be devoted to the examination of the collection. 



X. cheopis appears to be the predominant species in the colder 

 parts of the country and X. astia in the warm and damp regions. 

 A^. hrasiliensis was only found in Poona, Mangalore, Bombay City and 

 Ootacanmnd. Should A', astia prove to be the species of the plague- 

 free area, its r61e as a vector of the disease as compared with A', cheopis 

 may be tested experimentally. 



