93 



Ilvento (A.). Contributo alia Biologia ed ai Metodi di Distruzione del 



Pediculus vestis. [A Contribution to the Biology and Methods of 

 Destruction of Pediculus humanus,]- — Annali d''Igiene, Rome, 

 xxviii, no. 1, 31st January 1918, pp. 10-29. 



The first part of this paper reviews the present-day knowledge of 

 the biology of Pediculus humanus. The author's observations con- 

 firm the preference of P. humanus for rough or meshed fabrics. Smooth 

 silk or linen surfaces are disliked. In the dark no preference is shown 

 for any given colour, but in the light dark shades are more attractive. 



The second section deals with the recorded methods of combating 

 P. humanus. The author found that oil of anise, oil of turpentine, 

 camphor and a 5 per cent, solution of phenol, exercise a repellent 

 action, which gradually diminishes with evaporation and also perhaps 

 through the insects becoming accustomed to the odour. In a closed 

 vessel the introduction of these substances causes the insect to become 

 comatose and it remains in this condition until fresh air is admitted. 

 This appears to be due to sensitiveness of the respiratory organs and 

 not to a stupefying action of the insectifuges. A strong odour will 

 therefore prevent oviposition during the short period in which it 

 acts at full strength. Lice die if exposed to a temperature of 144° F. 

 for 10 minutes, while 30 minutes are required to kill the eggs ; 10 

 minutes are sufficient for the eggs at 177° F. These data refer to 

 experimental conditions, but in practice difficulties arise owing to the 

 heat failing to penetrate, though both lice and eggs were destroyed 

 in clothes hung up in a hot-air cupboard where a temperature of 

 212° F. was maintained for 30 minutes, a period of 45 minutes being 

 necessary to attain that temperature. 



Leger (M.) & PoRRY (E.). Trypanosomes nouveaux de deux Singes de 

 la Guyane francaise. [New Trypanosomes of two Monkeys in 

 French Guiana.]— C. R. Soc. Biol, Paris, Ixxxi, no. 4, 23rd 

 February 1918, pp. 180-183. 



To the three trypanosomes of South American monkeys already 

 known : — Trypanosoma prowazeki, T. minasense, and T. mycetue, are 

 now to be added T. lesourdi, sp. n., met with in Ateles pentadactylus, 

 and T. devei, sp. n., in Midas midas. None of these are pathogenic. 



Place (F. E.). Sheep Nasal Fly. — Jit Dept. Agric. South Australia, 

 Adelaide, xxi, no. 5, December, 1917, pp. 443-444. [Eeceived 

 20th March 1918.] 



Oestrus avis is here recorded from widely-separated districts of 

 South Australia and from Queensland. The female fly oviposits on 

 the noses of sheep, which try to avoid it by burying their noses in the 

 dust. The larvae remain in the nasal cavities for about 10 months 

 and on maturity pass into the nose, from which they are ejected by 

 sneezing. After about 6 weeks in the pupal stage, they develop 

 into the perfect insect. A severe infestation results in loss of condition, 

 fits, or even death. 



Preventive measures consist in keeping the animals away from 

 scrub during the hot months, and in smearing their noses with fish-oil 

 and tar. 



