103 



WiLHELMi (J.). Die gemeine Stechfliege (Wadenstecher) Untersuch- 

 ungen uber die Biologie der Stoiiioxijs calciimns, L. [Observations 

 on the Biology of ^Stoiiio.c/js calcitrans, L.] — Monograph, z. angew. 

 Entom., no. 2, Supplement to ZeitscJir. f. angew. Entoin., Berlin, 

 iv, 1917, 110 pp., 28 figs. [Received 19tli April, 1920.] 



This memoir, a notice of which has already been published [R.A.E., 

 B, vi, 174], contains details of the author's personal observations 

 on the local distribution and general habits of Stomoxys calcitrans, L. 

 Comparisons are made with observations of previous authors, and 

 these are confirmed in the main. The results of the investigations 

 dealing with the economic importance of the fly in agriculture and 

 with regard to disease are not touched upon. 



Natural enemies include Hydrotaea dentipes, which is predaceous 

 on the larvae; the adults are attacked by Oxgbelus sp. and Mellinus sp., 

 as well as parasitised by Chalcids. Parasitss of the pupae include 

 Spalangia miiscae and a PteromaUd. 



MuLLER (J.). Zur Naturgeschiehte der Kleiderlaus. [The Natural 

 History of the Clothes Louse.] — Das osterr. Sanitdtswesen, Vienna, 

 xxvii, "1915, Beilage to nos. 36-38, & 47-49, 75 pp., 34 figs., 4 

 plates. [Received" 12th April 1920.] 



Tliis paper is chiefly intended for medical men studying the anatomy 

 .and biology of Pediculua humanus (vestimenti) in view of its role as a 

 vector of typhus. Though mainly a compilation, it contains some 

 original matter, given very briefly, as a complete monograph is to be 

 pubhshed. 



The anatomy, development, and biology of the louse are described. 

 It was found that lice and their eggs are destroyed in 5-10 minutes 

 by exposure to air heated to 90° C. (195°F.). Many physical and 

 chemical agents cause apparent death. A louse that had been sub- 

 merged under water for 22 hoiu-s showed no signs of movement under 

 the microscope and its heart ceased beating ; on removal from the 

 water heart-action recommenced and the hmbs subsequently began 

 to move. This shows that a temporary sealing of the tracheae may 

 lead to a suspension of heart-action, but not to death. A permanent 

 seal however, such as is produced by grease and oil, proves fatal ; this 

 explains the efficacy of ointments and shows that the insecticide 

 contained in them plays a subordinate role. 



The second portion of tliis paper consists exclusively of notices of 

 literature pubHshed during the printing of the first part. 



WiDMAN (E.). Beitrage zur Biologie der Kleiderlaus und deren 

 Bekampfung. [Contributions to the Biology of the Clothes Louse 

 and to its Contiol}—Zeitschr. f. Hygiene, Ixxx, 1915, p. 289. 

 (Abstract in Das osterr. Sanitdtsivesen, Vienna, xxvii, no. 36-38, 

 9th-2.3rd September 1915, p. 1216.) [Received 12th April 

 1920.] 



Among other observations [R.A.E., B, iv, 87] the author draws 

 attention to the wave-like digestive movements of the gut of Pediculus 

 humanus {vestimenti). These are important, as they make it possible 



