139 



Lang (W. D.). A Handbook of British Mosquitoes. — Brit. Mas. Nat, 

 Hist., London, 1920, viii + 125 pp., 5 plates, 132 figs. Price £1. 



This carefully prepared handbook has been compiled for the purpose 

 of rendering easy the identification of British mosquitos, a subject that 

 is of increasing interest owing to the introduction of numerous malaria- 

 infested troops into the country, and the consequent importance 

 that attaches to the Culicine fauna of the British Isles. The 21 

 species of mosquitos that occur within the Islands should be easily 

 recognisable from the descriptions given of not only the adult 

 stages, but also the larvae and pupae, and by a comparison of the 

 many text-figures. The life-histories and structure of the various- 

 species including Anopheles maculipennis, A. bifurcatus and A. plumheus 

 are discussed, and a detailed account is given of each. 



MacGregor (M. E.). a Note on Dennatophilus penetrans. — JL 

 R.A.M.C, London, xxxiv, no. 5, May 1920, pp. 441-443. 



The chigger flea {Dennatophilus penetrans) was very troublesome 

 in places during the recent campaign in East Africa. This parasite 

 occurs on both the western and eastern sides of the continent, around 

 the Great Lakes, and here and there right across the continent. It 

 has also spread to Madagascar, and has probably been carried by the 

 movement of troops to many parts of Africa hitherto free from it. 



It is esj^ecially active at night and in dry weather. The best method 

 of removal from under the skin is described. 



Attack may be prevented by the following precautions. The feet 

 should be rubbed with vaseline daily after washing in the late afternoon 

 [cf. R.A.E., B, iii, 227], thick socks worn, and Keating's powder 

 sprinkled in the boots. Bed-clothes should be aired on a cord well 

 above the ground, and a little Keating's powder should be dusted 

 between the sheets. 



Cases of attack in the hands were confined to drivers in the 

 Mechanical Transport, who often had to go on hands and knees in the 

 dust to attend to their vehicles. 



Robertson (J. C). Report on the Anti-Malaria Campaign at 

 Taranto during 1918. — .//. R.A.M.C, London, xxxiv, no. 5, 

 May 1920, pp. 444-167. 



The number of cases of malaria contracted at the Rest Camp at 

 Taranto in 1917, in spite of the usual anti-malaria measures, made 

 an extended malaria campaign in 1918 a matter of considerable 

 urgency. Owing to the type of hut and gauze issued, which made 

 mosquito-proof quarters almost unattainable, and the difficulty of 

 bringing home to the floating population of a rest camp the necessity 

 of anti-malaria measures with all the discomfort they caused, the 

 destruction of mosquitos was regarded as almost the sole protective 

 measure that was practicable. 



The early work against the hibernating mosquito was pushed to the 

 uttermost, and continued through the summer, the ground covered 

 being extended as the necessary staf? was trained. The breeding 

 places were hard to deal with owing to the fact that the ground was 

 very absorbent of water, which soaked through to form large marshy 



