143 



transferred to large tanks in which they were apparently destroyed 

 by large Dytiscid beetles, which attacked both the young fry and the 

 adult fish. It is probable that the native Haplochilus is equally 

 effective as a larva destroyer. 



Sand-flies have been studied, especially Phlebotomus papatasii, 

 P. argentipes and P. minutus, attention being generally directed to the 

 discovery of the natural breeding-places of the last-named species 

 [see this Review, Ser. B, i, p. 221.] Subsequent investigations have 

 shown that the supposition that geckos were connected with the fly 

 is correct. No definite results have as yet been obtained with regard 

 to the hosts of P. argentipes. An enquiry into the breeding-places 

 of Muscid flies at Poona is in progress, in consequence of a suspicion 

 that they were connected with a form of enteritis, very prevalent in 

 the town. 



Webb (P. T.). Sheep in Rhodesia. — Rhodesia Agric. JL, Salisbury, 

 xi, no. 4, April 1914, pp. 552-555. 



In the course of this paper the author says that sheep scab exists 

 in Rhodesia and that unless the provisions of the Scab Act are strictly 

 observed, it will seriously threaten the sheep industry in the country. 

 The greatest danger appears to come from native-owned sheep, which 

 are allowed to move about the country with great freedom and without 

 any inspection. Some experience is required in order to identify the 

 pest, and many other parasites are frequently mistaken for it. Owing 

 to the recent dry season and the operation of the Herbage Preservation 

 Ordinance, grass burning has diminished and ticks have increased. 

 Sheep have consequently suffered severely from these parasites, and 

 the irritation produced causes them to bite and scratch themselves, 

 which has a bad effect on the fleece ; inexperienced farmers frequently 

 mistake the results for scab. The author says that by dipping his 

 sheep every fourteen days he has succeeded in keeping them quite 

 free from ticks ; Cooper's Fluid Sheep Dip was the preparation used. 



Moussu (G.). Les piroplasmoses bovines. [Bovine piroplasmosis.]^ 

 Jl. Agric. pratique, Paris, xxvii, no. 16, 16th April 1914, 

 pp. 490-494, 4 figs. 



In France, the mortaUty among cattle suffering from bovine piro- 

 plasmosis has been 12-15 per cent, during the last few years, whereas 

 this percentage reaches 50-80 per cent, in the tropics, America and 

 South Africa. The figure given could be still further reduced to 

 1 or 2 per cent, if proper measures were taken. Formerly the disease 

 was believed to be due to unsuitable grass, to the ingestion of resinous, 

 tannic and other principles in the shoots of bushes or to poisoning 

 by such plants as Mercvrialis annua. The disease shows the following 

 symptoms : — Fever, reduction or suppression of milk in milch cows, 

 quickened pulse and breathing and especially bloody urine, the 

 colour of which ranges from hght pink to the dark brown of coffee 

 grounds. Death may occur on the second or third day, but usually 

 takes place after 5 or 6 days. In an autopsy it is possible to mistake 



