231 



at Sousse, in October 1921, where it had only been introduced a few 

 weeks previously. Enquiry elicited tlie fact that it had been imported 

 with a consignment of potatoes from Malta. Every effort is being 

 made to arrest its spread from the infested district. 



Faes (H.). La Culture indigene du Pyrethre {Pyrethrum cinerariae- 

 foliiim). — Ann. Agric. Suisse, Lucerne, xxii, no. 6, 1921, 

 pp. 433-438, 3 figs. [Received 2nd March 1922.] 



Pyrethrum powder is obtained from three species of Chrysanthemum 

 (Pyrethrum), namely, C. cinerariaefolium, C. roseum and C. carnettm, 

 the first-named furnishing the bulk of the powder used in commerce. 

 This species grows wild in Montenegro, Dalmatia, Herzegovina and 

 Istria, and has recently been cultivated in certain parts of France. 

 The general methods of cultivation are discussed. As a result of much 

 experiment, it has been found that the best method of using the powder 

 against the vine moths, Clysia ambigueUa and Polychrosis botrana, is 

 by extracting the active principles by means of alcohol or organic 

 chlorides, and then combining the extract with a concentrated soap 

 solution. The advantages of this insecticide over nicotine sprays are 

 pointed out, one of the chief being that treatment can successfully 

 be given over a much longer period (for about a fortnight against the 

 young larvae of the first generation). The production of pyrethrum 

 in France is increasing greatly, and there is a certain sale for further 

 supplies. 



Faes (H.). La Lutte contre le Ver de la Vigne {Cochylis) en 1921 et 

 la Solution de Savon-Pyre thre. — La Terre Vaudoise, Lausanne, 

 xiv, no. 7, 18th February 1922, pp. 88-90. 



A number of instances are given of treatments of vines with 

 pyrethrimi-soap solution, and very satisfactory results are recorded 

 for each. 



Howard (L. O.). (A) On some Presidential Addresses ; (B) The War 

 against the Insects. — Science, Garrison-on- Hudson, N.Y. liv 

 no. 1409, 30th December 1921, pp. 641-651. 



The author emphasises the fact that man, being the dominant type 

 on this earth, has overcome most opposing animate forces with the 

 exception of the bacteria and protozoa that carry disease and the 

 myriads of injurious insects that are his greatest rivals in the control 

 of nature. Though the power of insects is often ignored, to a certain 

 extent on account of their small size, it is evident that they are in 

 many ways better fitted for existence on this planet than nian, and 

 they must be overcome by him if he is to retain his supremacy. The 

 control of such a large group necessarily demands the services of a 

 great number of trained biologists, and with this end in view it is 

 suggested that all the departments of biology in all the universities 

 shall begin a concerted movement to prepare men for this defensive 

 and offensive campaign. 



Metcalf (Z. p.). The Age of Insects.—//. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 

 Chapel Hill, N.C., xxxvii, no. 1 & 2, December 1921, pp. 19-53. 



A general account of insects is given, including their physiology, 

 psychology, general life-history and ecological relations. Although 



