SYNOPSIS OF CONTINENTAL VETERINARY JOURNALS. 383 
tate to consider them a species of fungus, which he called 
Actinomyces bovis. Since then the microphyte thus desig¬ 
nated has been again found in the same conditions, and 
more thoroughly investigated. M. Rivolta considers it 
ought to be ranged in the family of Discomyces. When 
examining a sarcomatous tumour from the scrotal region of 
the horse which had been sent to him by a veterinary 
surgeon of the Italian army, M. Rivolta saw a parasite, 
which though closely resembling that found in the ox, 
differed from it in some particulars. After this the Professor 
of Pisa proposed to establish a new genus, Sarcomyces, 
which would comprise the species S. bovis and S. equi. He 
announces that he is about to study the development, 
culture, and inoculation of this parasite.— Giornctle di Medi- 
cina, Veterinaria e Farmacia of Pracenza . 
First Congress of Tuscan Breeders. —On the 6th Decem¬ 
ber last this Congress was opened at Firenze (Florence). 
Sixty members representing the different agricultural com¬ 
mittees of the country were present. Marquis Ridolfi, 
senator, was elected president. General Baron V. Ricasoli 
was sent by the Minister of Agriculture to represent his 
department. The first question discussed was that of the 
Maremma breed of horses. The assembly was of the opinion 
that it could not approve of the crossings with English 
horses which have been made for some time past. That it 
would be preferable to modify the race, such as it is, by 
selection, or to use only stallions of Oriental breeds, if foreign 
stock must be utilised. The second question referred to 
horned cattle. Two races, tribes, varieties, whatever we 
choose to call them, are found about this part of the country, 
that of the Val di Chiana and that of Pisa. Professor 
Zanelli, Director of the Zootechnical Establishment of Reggio 
d’Emilie, endeavoured to establish that (whatever has been 
said on the matter) the Val de Chiana cattle are a pure, 
indigenous, uncrossed race. After this the Congress unani¬ 
mously decided that the said breed being the best found in 
Italy, as far as propensity to fatten and to fetch a high price 
in the markets, it is advisable to promote its spread as much 
as possible, and especially to substitute it for the Pisa 
breed whenever agricultural conditions and food supply 
render it feasible; that it is necessary to appeal to breeders 
to remedy the defects it at present presents by a good choice 
of breeding beasts. The practice of working bovine animals 
was then considered, and the meeting expressed the opinion 
that it must be maintained, in order to prevent any other 
animal taking the place now filled by cattle. As for 
