288 



Report on Diseases of Animals. [July, 



month, when the internal cavity was found to have reached 

 the limit of its extension, that is, up to the vascular ring. 



In a second experiment the "eyes" of two tubers were 

 covered with nematode-bearing slime, and afterwards placed 

 under conditions similar to those described in the previous 

 experiment. After remaining for a month the nematodes had 

 not effected an entry into the tuber, although in some instances, 

 small " sprouts " had pushed from the eyes through the slime. 

 This experiment may be taken to prove that the nematodes 

 cannot effect an entry through an un wounded surface, even 

 when the tissue is quite young. No trace of bacteria or fungi 

 was found in the slime. 



The potatoes were purchased at the Brentford market, hence 

 their source of origin is unknown, as is also the nature of the 

 soil in which they were grown, or the kind of manure used, &c. 

 Judging from the large percentage of hollow tubers present in 

 the small quantity purchased, it would appear that a local 

 epidemic, caused by nematodes, had existed where the 

 potatoes were grown. 



The above account is not intended to convey the impression 

 that all hollow potatoes are due to eelworms. Potatoes are 

 often more or less completely hollowed out by centipedes, more 

 especially by Julus pulchellus. In such instances, however, an 

 entrance is effected by commencing at the surface and eating 

 their way into the interior of the tuber. 



Since the year 1902 no outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease 

 or of rabies has been confirmed in Great Britain; as regards 

 the former disease, however, this favour- 

 Report on Diseases able record has been broken since the 

 of Animals. commencement of the current year. 



Of the other diseases scheduled for 

 administrative action under the Diseases of Animals Acts, 

 outbreaks of anthrax, glanders (including farcy), sheep-scab 

 and swine-fever, have been confirmed in Great Britain in 

 each of the intervening years. As regards the year 1907, 

 glanders is the only disease in which a decrease in the number 

 of outbreaks is shown in the returns as compared with those of 

 the previous year. The position, as regards the various diseases, 



