205 



life-history and control has already been noticed [R.A.E., B, iv, 26]. 

 The symptoms of poisoning may appear as early as one hour after 

 feeding on the beetles. The affected bird becomes drowsy and falls 

 over on its side, and the retraction of the head and neck over the back 

 of the chicken is quite characteristic. Death occurs within 24 hours. 

 The rapid action of the toxin renders treatment unsatisfactory in 

 birds already showing symptoms. An effort, however, may be made 

 to reduce the mortahty by administering a purgative to the whole flock 

 as soon as the nature of the trouble is realised. Teaspoonful doses of 

 castor-oil containing 15 drops of turpentine would be indicated, and 

 may also be given to birds showing symptoms. In a large flock, 

 however, this takes too long, and Epsom salts are recommended in the 

 proportion of a teaspoonful to each four birds under 10 weeks old, the 

 total amount being dissolved in water and mixed in the amount of 

 mash the flock will readily consume. 



Besides preventive measures previously noticed [loc. cit.], the rose- 

 chafer while in the pupal stage" may be readily destroyed by ploughing 

 and harrowing infested soil during May in the southern range of the 

 beetle, and during the latter part of May and early June in its northern 

 range. 



Hoffman (F. L.). The Malaria Problem in Peace and War. — Pru- 

 dential Press, Neivarl; NJ., 1918, 101 pp. [Received 24th 

 September 1920.] 



This is a consolidation of papers read at the Annual Meeting of the 

 National Committee on Malaria, Memphis, Tenn., 12th November 

 1917, and the Annual Convention of the New Jersey Mosquito Era- 

 dication Commission, Atlantic City, N.J., 31st January 1918, revised 

 and enlarged. It is in two parts, the first dealing with the methods 

 of eradicating malaria and their results at the present time, in the 

 United States in particular, and also in other parts of America and in 

 India, chiefly from the aspect of the work that is and may be done 

 by public authorities. The second deals with malaria in relation 

 to war, its history in the American Civil War, and the various aspects 

 of its occurrence in the different theatres of the European War. The 

 military problems of malaria control are considered, and ^^ modern 

 conclusions based on war experiences are given. 



Kemnitz ( — ). Untersuchungen uber Stoflbestand und Stoffwechsel 

 der Larven von Gastrojihilus equi. [Observations on the Compos- 

 ition and Metabolism of Larvae of Gastrophilus equi.] — Ver- 

 handlungen der Deutschen Zool. Ges., Berlin, no. 24, 1914, 

 pp. 294-307, 2 figs. 



A series of experiments here described show that the red colouring 

 matter found in the tracheal cells of Gastrophilus larvae is identical 

 in character with the haemoglobin of vertebrate anmals, at least as 

 far as regards the iron content. The relative proportions of glycogen, 

 chitin and fat contained in the larva are described. Artificial feeding 

 experiments were also made to ascertain the essentials required for 

 life during the larval period. Apparently the larvae can only thrive 

 on an acid medium showing at least a 0'4 per cent, acid reaction. 

 After a few days, owing to the metabolism of the larvae, the acid 



