193 



infection among men and among rats by their respective flea parasites, 

 there are differences of opinion as to the exact importance of rat fleas 

 in the transmission of infection from rat to man ; it is suggested that 

 infection must frequently be transmitted by means of infected food 

 and dust, especially among bare-footed natives. It is thought also 

 that the rat may play an important part in keeping the virus of plague 

 alive through the winter in temperate climates. 



M. rattus and M. denimanus are both carriers of the spirochaete of 

 infectious jaundice. A table shows the percentage of carriers detected 

 among rats examined in different parts of the world. On the western 

 front, the infestation of the trenches by rats afforded a sufficient 

 explanation of the prevalence of the disease. In Japan, the disease 

 is particularly prevalent among the workers in certain damp coal mines 

 and among those who work in drains, and Japanese investigators 

 believe that infection of man may be caused by passage of the 

 spirochaete through the unbroken skin. It is certain, however, that 

 infection can be transmitted by means of food also, and the disease 

 may have spread in the rat-infested trenches in this manner. 



Banks (C. S.). Phlehotontns niciiic, a New Species, the first Philippine 

 Record for this Genus.— Philippine Jl. Sci. Manila, xiv, no. 2, 

 February 1919, pp. 163-168, 1 plate. [Received 27th October 

 1919.] 



Phlebofomns nicnic, sp. n., is here described for the first time, though 

 its existence has been known for a number of years in the Philippines. 

 It bites mainly at night, and is probably a disease transmitter. It is 

 believed to breed in kitchen drains. 



Ranks (C. S.). The Bloodsuclting Insects of the Philippines.— 



Philippine Jl. Sci., Manila, xiv, no. 2, February 1919, pp. 169-189. 

 [Received 27th October 1919.] 



This list includes :— the bed-bug, Cimex lectularius, L. : the lice, \ 

 Phthirus pubis, li. ; Pediculus hunianus, L. ; Haematopinus tuber- \ 

 culatus, Nitzsch, which is found on carabaos (buffalos) and may possibly j 

 serve as a means of transmission of rinderpest ; the eggs, nymphs and 

 adults are apparently able to survive for a considerable period under 

 water, so that submergence of the animal has little or no effect on this 

 parasite ; H. eurysternus, Nitzsch (cattle louse) : H. urius, Nitzsch 

 (hog louse) ; H. stenopsis, Burm. (goat louse) ; H. spimdosus, Denny 

 (rat louse) ; Pedicinus eurygaster, Gero. (monkey louse) ; the Hippo- 

 boscids, Hippobosca equina, L. ; H. maculata, Leach ; Olfersia nigritUy 

 Speis. ; Oi'nithoctona nigricans, heach. 



The mosquitos include :- Cidexfatigans, Wied. ; C. microannidatus, ) 

 Theo. ; C. ludlowi, Blanch. ; Stegomyiafasciata, F. {persistans. Banks) ; i 

 S. albopi^ta, Skuse {scutellaris, Wlk.) ; Anopheles {Myzoniyia) rossi, v^ » 

 Giles ; A. minimus, Theo. (M. febrifer. Banks) ; AHes butler i, Theo. ''^'^ 

 {Skusea ditirna, Theo. ) ; Mansonioides uniformis, Theo. ; M. annuli- 

 ferus, Theo. ; Culex {Theobaldiom.yia) gelidus, Theo. ; Ochlerotatus 

 {Hulecoeteomyia) pseudotaeniatus, Giles; and Toxorhynchites regius, 

 Tennent (Worcesteria grata, Banks). The last-named feeds on plant ^- 



