80 



colonies, as the form of Indian bee that can be domesticated is a poor 

 honey-gatherer, is extremely prone to swarming, and is unable to protect 

 its hive against the wax moth [Galleria mellonella]. This point was 

 discussed by the meeting and a resolution was unanimously carried 

 to the effect that the importation of bees, beeswax or honey from 

 countries infected with bee-diseases was considered so dangerous tliat 

 it should only be permitted under necessary restrictions. 



MiSRA (C. S.). Lac-culture in India. — Kept Proc. 3rd Entom. Meeting, 

 Pusa, February 1919, Calcutta, ii, 920, pp. 782-800, 2 plates. 



Much of the information contained in this paper has been previously 

 noticed [R.A.E., A, vi, 513]. The present situation with regard to lac- 

 culture in various regions of India is described, and the possibility 

 of cultivating the insect and carrying on the industry on scientific 

 and business lines is discussed. With the establishment of nurseries 

 for the distribution of healthy brood-lac and improvements in the 

 methods of collection, the question of parasites and predators has to be 

 considered. Eublemma amabilis is the worst known enemy of lac on 

 the trees, the caterpillars devouring the females and pupating within 

 silken galleries made in the incrustations. In some localities this 

 moth renders lac cultivation impossible. The question of Chalcid 

 parasites will also have to be studied in greater detail, and the role of 

 Holcocera pidverea must be determined as regards lac on trees as well 

 as stick-lac in storage. Lac cultivation is a very old and important 

 industry in India, and that country practically holds the monopoly 

 as yet ; it is considered that the time has come when steps should 

 be taken to safeguard and resuscitate its interests. 



De {"SI. X.). The Pusa Experiments on the Improvement of Mulberry 

 Silkworms. — Rcpt. Proc. 3rd Enfoin. Meetim;, Pusa, Febriiarv 

 1919, Calcutta, ii, 1920, pp. 800-808, 1 plate-. ^ 



The silk industry in India is showing signs of revival, both as regards 

 value and quantity, but it is generally admitted that the multivoltine 

 races of India have degenerated, while European races have been 

 improved. The suitability of various hybrid races is discussed, and 

 a table shows the results of rearing various races of silkworms of 

 different countries, from which an idea of the yield of silk of each race 

 can be obtained. The method of examining moths for pebrine disease 

 is described, and the future possibilities of the industry are briefly 

 touched upon. 



De (M. N.). The best Method of eliminating Pebrine from the Multi- 

 voltine Silkworm Races of India. — Rcpt. Proc. 3rd Entom. Meeting, 

 Pusa, February 1919, Calcutta, ii, 1920, pp. 809-835, 1 plate. 



The elimination of pebrine disease of silkworms, which is discussed 

 in this paper, is of the utmost importance to the silk industry of India. 

 It is pointed out, however, that the Pasteur method, as practised 

 in France for the last 50 years, has only succeeded as yet in keeping 

 the disease in check. At present the origin of the disease and its other 

 possible hosts are not fully understood. It is hoped that in the future 

 new methods of detecting the disease, backed by legislation, may 

 enable it to be successfully combated. 



