374 JOURNAL OF THE WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES VOL. 13, No. 16 
with diseases of the feet, causing malformations and the loss of claws. This 
paper was discussed by Dr. H. C. OBERHOLSER. 
655TH MEETING 
The 655th meeting was held May 12, 1923, at 8 p.m., in the lecture room 
of the Cosmos Club, with President Hircucock in the chair and 52 persons 
present. 
Under Short Notes, Dr. R. W. SHure pt exhibited lantern slides of the fine 
gorilla recently mounted at the National Museum. 
EK. T. Wuerry: Studies of plant distribution in relation to soil acidity. 
The speaker reviewed his method of testing soil acidity, as published in 
Smithsonian Report for 1920, Gen. App. pp. 247-268, showing colored lantern 
slides of numerous species of native plants; he discussed the results of acidity 
tests of their soils, and the probable bearing of these on peculiarities of their 
distribution. 
E. A. GotpMAN: The deer of the Grand Canyon National Game Preserve. 
Peculiar conditions were described under which mule deer have become 
excessively abundant, and are still rapidly increasing in numbers. They 
are estimated to number at least 20,000. The deer are in excellent condition, 
but forage available in summer is taken to near the limit of production. 
Closer utilization of forage in summer will result in the serious impairment 
of carrying capacity of range. It is therefore foreseen that unless the increase 
in number of deer is controlled the starvation of some of the animals must 
result in he near future. 
S. F. Buaxn, Recording Secretary. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
357TH MEETING 
The 357th meeting of the Society was held April 5, 1923, at the New 
National Museum, with President Howarp in the chair and 35 persons present. 
J. M. C. Garpner and C. P. LounssBury were elected members of the 
Society. 
The regular program was as follows: PmrEz Stumons: A house-fly plague 
in the American Expeditionary Forces. The house-fly became a serious danger 
to health during the summer of 1918 at one of the camps of the 20th Engineers 
(Forestry) at Lamanchs, Department of the Landes, southwestern France. 
A location that should have been unusually healthful was transformed into a 
place of pestilence through neglect of sanitation. A severe epidemic of 
dysentery was followed by influenza and pneumonia, and there is strong 
evidence to support the belief that the fly-borne dysentery was largely 
responsible for the severity of the influenza among the main body of troops 
at Lamanchs. Although commissioned entomologists would have encoun- 
tered substantial difficulties, it is felt that a great deal of good would have 
been accomplished by qualified men applying preventive and remedial 
measures at the proper time. (Author’s Abstract.) 
Doctor Howarp said this paper gave a striking picture of conditions in 
camp. Orders were given, but they were not always carried out; but there 
was a cause for not enforcing them. Doctor Howard made suggestions to the 
Army officials and it was obvious that they were needed. The Army officials 
said they did not want men trained to count the spots on flies and mosquitoes, 
but they did want trained, sanitary engineers. 
