RKCENT LITERATURE. 335 



the sole medium of infection." The "mosquito" — of which twenty 

 species belonging to nine genera are noted as Sinhalese, though only 

 one species, viz. Anopheles rossii, Giles, " has been definitely proved to 

 convey the malarial germs" — is pronounced guilty of an appalling 

 series of crimes ; malarial fever, filariasis (including elephantiasis), 

 excessive anaemia, yellow fever, and " after-effects " following repeated 

 attacks of malaria, such as the dangerously enlarged spleen so preva- 

 lent amongst natives, derangement of the liver, &c., " Bright's Disease," 

 &c. It is therefore obvious that practical studies in the most minute 

 detail are of the highest national importance, and it is remarkable that 

 British entomological journals should have devoted so little attention 

 to notices of some part at least of the vast amount of work already 

 done.* It is evident from perusal of the daily and weekly news- 

 papers that an enormous amount of misconception and pig-headed 

 ignorance as to the causes of malarial fever, &c., still remains to be 

 combatted. 



As these Circulars are primarily for the benefit of residents in 

 Ceylon, not specially entomologists, the present one is necessarily to a 

 certain extent a compilation ; at the same time the whole subject is 

 very adequately treated in the brief space at the author's disposal, and 

 it is evident tliat Mr. Green has thoroughly and practically investigated 

 the details discussed. 



Preventive measures are considered at some length. 



1. " T/wse aimed at the extermination of the mosquito " ; and 2. " The 

 elimination of the mala rial element. — To destroy the early stages in their 

 breeding-pools, as advocated by L. 0. Howard, rags soaked in kerosine 

 are employed for painting the surface of the water, thus forming a 

 thin film, which is rapidly fatal to the inhabitants of the pools. Of 

 course this treatment is not feasible for drinking-water ; the tanks or 

 cisterns for this should be constructed with closely fitting covers. 

 Moreover, as the oil is as destructive to plants as to animals, it is in- 

 applicable for ornamental lakes containing water-plants, or for rice- 

 fields. A good system of drainage of useless pools is strongly advo- 

 cated. For protection against the adults, '• mosquito cones," castor- 

 oil plants, &c., are considered entirely useless ; the isolation of active 

 " cases " of malarial fever and the proper use of quinine are advo- 

 cated. 



3. '^ Protection from the bites of mosquitoes. — The construction of 

 mosquito-proof bungalows, such as have been experimentally erected 

 in Africa and Italy, and are in use in America, is recommended ; 

 but Mr. Green fears that the question of expense and the sesthetic 

 feeling of those who would dislike to reside in a huge meat-safe 

 are likely to prevail at present. The use of properly constructed 

 mosquito-nets and applications of various substances, particularly 

 common soap, are advised, the latter being very effective for curative 

 purposes. 



John B. Smith discusses interesting insecticide experiments at some 

 length in "The Entomologists' Experimental Orchard" (1902, New 

 Jersey Agr. Exp. Sta., Bull. 155, pp. 1-71). 



* See, however, ' Entomologist,' 1900, pp. 133, 218, 368, &c. 



