BY C. J. POUND, F.R.M.S. 31 



tick may remain unhatched for over four months, while the hirval 

 ticks will live for even a longer period without a host. These 

 facts only apply where the ticks or eggs are protected from the 

 direct sun's rays. 



]\[any years of practical experience have shown conclusively 

 that the cattle tick cannot possibly exist for any long period upon 

 our open plains in the Western country, where the atmosphere is 

 mostly dry and arid, and where the sun shines the greater part 

 of the year, and the vegetation is very sparse. Placing eggs, 

 larvae, and adult ticks in a test-tube for only a few hours in 

 the direct rays of the sun is sufKcient to destroy all vitality. ]^)ut 

 while the sunlight prevents the spread of the tick and formation of 

 fresh centres in Western Queensland, we have an entirely opposite 

 experience in the United States, for in that country the march of 

 the tick in a northerly direction is prevented by the prolonged 

 severe frosts. Although we in Australia cannot boast of any- 

 thing like an American blizzard, I am of opinion that in the 

 immediate vicinity of Mr. Wragge's observatory on ]\Iount Kosci- 

 usko, the tick would certainly have a most imcomfortable time. 

 HOW TICKS ARE DISTRIBUTED. 



Careful and close observations have shown that although 

 the bovine is the only perfect natural host of the cattle tick, it is 

 only one of very many different agencies for its distribution. It 

 has been proved that the tick will mature under favourable condi- 

 tions upon the horse and the sheep, and that the eggs from such 

 ticks are fertile. I have also found them in various stages of 

 developement attached to goats, kangaroos, wallabies, and various 

 kinds of birds, as the ibis, crane, peewit, wild duck, and even on 

 the little shepherd's companion (wagtail). 



In addition to these different hosts which are more or less 

 responsible for the principal transmission of ticks into new or 

 clean country we have other agents and accidental means for the 

 dissemination of ticks. In studying the habits of various species 

 of ticks living apart from their host under natural conditions on 

 some of the Northern rivers of this colony, I noticed that in the 

 larval stage there was a natural inclination or instinct to attach 

 themselves to any moving object, no matter whether animate or 

 inanimate. By way of illustration, I may mention a little in- 

 cident in my experience which took place on the Herbert River 



