SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
fly season, and the experiments will be designed to—(@) prove by mass 
infestation of calves kept in fly-proof cages that the Onchocerca gibsont 
is transmitted by a march fly; (b) prove by specific infestation which 
species of the march fly acts as the intermediate host; (c) study the 
development of the larve in the march fly, both naturally infested and 
artificially fed on worm nodules; (d) study the life history of the march 
fly to ascertain its most vulnerable period; and (e) carry out further 
observation relative to the life history of the worm in infested cattle. 
POWER ALCOHOL FROM MACROZAMIA. 
The results of the experimental work on macrozamia published in 
the December issue of this journal show that the yield of alcohol obtain- 
able from the palms, including both the inner and outer cores, is about 
14 gallons per ton. The New South Wales Forestry Commission states 
that the District Forester at Moruya has made inquiries as to the price 
at which the palms could be delivered. The only quotation received by 
him for obtaining and delivering the whole butts of the zamia palm, 
i.e., with only the leaves cut away, is at the rate of 82s. 6d? per ton. 
This price is considered to be unreasonable, and the District Forester 
states that there are many places on the Clyde River where good wages 
could be earned by obtaining and delivering the butts at log wharfs or 
loading places at prices ranging from 12s. to 14s. per ton. If, therefore, 
‘the butts could be delivered at the lower figure specified (12s. per ton), 
the cost of the raw material would be approximately 10d. per-gallon. 
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 
At the request of the Commonwealth Board of Trade, the Institute 
recently made inquiries into the Weights and Measures Acts and Regu- 
lations of the various States, and an examination of the position as it 
affects the Commonwealth. After consultation with experts and con- 
sideration of the legislation, the Executive Committee expressed the 
opinion that in some of the States the Acts are out of date and unsatis- 
factory in various respects, and suggested that the only way in which 
satisfactory control of weights and measures would be established 
in Australia would be for the Commonwealth to provide by legislation 
for a complete system of supervision and inspection. The establishment 
_of an efficient system of control could not be attained, however, unless 
a Bureau of Standards were organized and equipped. It was pointed 
out that this course would involve considerable time and expense, and 
it was one of the matters which it is contemplated will-be taken up by 
the permanent Institute of Science and Industry. It was thought 
probable that the system would become self-supporting by the receipt 
of fees soon after its inception. “ The establishment of such a system,” 
concluded the report, “is considered to be of the highest importance to 
the commercial, industrial, and general interests of the Commonwealth, 
but the Executive Committee does not think it desirable to expend the 
necessary time and money in inquiring into the matter further, unless 
the Commonwealth Government proposes to take the matter up with a 
view to control on a Federal basis.” ulscah ; 
