336 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— D. 



Interesting flagellates have been observed in the midgut of the termite, Hodotermes 

 transvaahnsis, obtained in Johannesburg. These include species of Trichonympha, 

 Spirotrichonympha, Dinenympha (Pyrsonympha), Leidyopsis, Devescovina, Oxymonas 

 and Trichomonas. Only wood-eaters are infected. Further work on these organisms 

 is in progress. Several species of Spirochsetes (Cristispira) and Treponemata have 

 been found in the intestines of Hodotermes transvaalensis. 



Among Sporozoa, a Haemogregarine, H. naice, perhaps a variety of H. serpentium, 

 is recorded for the first time from one Naia flava. The cobra had no ectoparasites 

 when examined. 



Ciliates belonging to the genera Chilodon, Balantidium and Nyctotherus have 

 been observed in the contents of the rectum and cloaca of one olive water snake, 

 Ablabophis rufulus, the Chilodon being most numerous. One Trimerorhinus 

 tritceniatus also contained a few such Ciliates. 



Two new Protoopalinids have been found in Sana fuscigula, a host from which 

 previously these Ciliates have not been recorded. One Protoopalina has an oval 

 body and apparently has six chromosomes in its nuclei. It is proposed to name it 

 P. ovalis. The second is striking, as it has a cercaria-like appearance with a narrow 

 tail about half the length of the body and sharply demarcated therefrom. The 

 number of chromosomes in each nucleus appears to be two or four. The name 

 P. appendiculata is proposed for this new species. A small Protoopalina, apparently 

 new, has been obtained from the hind gut of the tadpole of Cacosiernum bcettgeri. 

 The name P. cacosterni is proposed for it. This is the first record of a Protoopalina 

 from Cacosternum. 



Some of these organisms form interesting subjects for the parallel study of hosts 

 and their parasites with reference to geographical distribution, though it is sometimes 

 difficult to arrive at definite conclusions. 



Mr. B. Smit. — The Biological Control of the Blotvflies of Sheep. 



Dr. J. F. V. Phillips. — The Application of Ecological Research Methods 

 to the Tsetse (Glossina spp.) Problem in Tanganyika Territory (formerly 

 German East Africa) : a Preliminary Account. 



The Tsetse problem, prior to 1928, had been approached from the medical, 

 veterinary, entomological and protozoological aspects only. Important as have 

 been the data derived from such studies, it nevertheless remains true that knowledge 

 as to the behaviour of the Tsetse in Nature, and as to the factors governing such 

 behaviour, has not only been meagre, but also disconnected and unorganised. 



The objects of the present paper are to describe briefly the concept of the Tsetse 

 research workers, Tanganyika Territory, and to outline the methodology they either 

 are employing or intend employing in the early future. 



During 1928 an investigation into the Glossina morsitans Westw. problem, in 

 Kondoa district of Tanganyika Territory, was organised upon ecological lines. The 

 concept inspiring the research may be defined thus : — 



No definite advance toward the goal of control and combat of Tsetse will be con- 

 summated until basic, correlated data are avaOable as regards (1) the nature of the 

 behaviour of Tsetse under particular sets of conditions, (2) the mechanism of this 

 behaviour, (3) the periodicity of this behaviour, (4) the causes responsible for the 

 nature, mechanism, periodicity of Tsetse behaviour, (5) the particular habitat factors 

 influencing the nature, mechanism, periodicity and causes of behaviour, (6) the applica- 

 tion of information relating to the nature, mechanism, periodicity and causes of 

 behaviour, to measures of control and combat. 



The principal lines of research may be classified under the following heads : — ■ 



I. Reconnaissance. — Observations are made concerning [a) distribution and 

 density of Tsetse, (6) distribution of vegetation communities and their major animal 

 associates, (c) the correlation of Tsetse distribution and density with vegetation 

 communities and their animal associates ; II. Regular observations upon Tsetse 

 density-activity, breeding and general behaviour in relation to season weather-con- 

 ditions, vegetation, game and man ; III. Tsetse auteoology; IV. Tselse synecology; 

 V. The inter-relations of Tsetse, the biome and the physical environment ; VI. The 

 inter-relations of Tsetse and animals ; VII. Alteration of the physical and biotic 

 factors of the habitat so as to produce conditions unfavourable to Tsetse; VIII. 

 Biological control. 



I 



