Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/174

146 of the skeleton of Diaphorapteryx. In addition to the isolated bones, there are one or two more or less complete skeletons which are of great value for purposes of determination. The great bulk of the collection consists of remains of recent sea-birds, such as Albatrosses, Cormorants, and Penguins; but, in addition to Diaphorapteryx, there are many other extinct forms, including some large species of Fulicia?, Cabalus dieffenbachii, Palæocorax moriorum, and also a few seal-bones, some human metapodials and phalanges, remains of rats and mice, and of fish; but Mr. Andrews has "not found any reptilian bones whatever."

are glad to see from the 'Bulawayo Chronicle' that the inhabitants of Rhodesia are taking steps to mitigate the Locust scourge in their country. "The Civil Commissioner has made application to the Agricultural Department of the Cape Colony for a supply of the Locust-disease fungus which is supposed to be very effective in destroying the pest. The Principal of the Bacteriological Institute of Grahamstown has been instructed to forward a few tubes when supply is available. On arrival the Civil Commissioner proposes to hand them over to some enterprising farmers for experimenting with." Some time ago a lady in Natal recorded in 'Natural Science' the destructive effect on Locusts of this fungoid growth in her locality. The present Editor also bore witness in the same journal to similar observations made in Pretoria.

In the Transvaal, however, members of the Raad have enunciated the opinion that it is impious to seek to destroy Locusts, which are a scourge sent by the Almighty.

The disease-fungus is not the only natural enemy to the Locust. A correspondent has been recently writing about these insects in 'South Africa.' He describes their most formidable enemies in the Orange Free State as those well-known birds the Black-winged Pratincole, Glareola melanoptera, the White Stork, Ciconia alba, the Wattled Starling, Dilophus carunculatus, and the Lesser Kestrel, Cerchneis tinnunculoides. Among parasitic insects which attack the Locusts two have been recorded by Mrs. Barber. One has been described by Mr. Trimen as "a two-winged insect of the genus Tachina, which is of the same family (Muscidæ) as the common house fly, and not unlike it in appearance."

This correspondent adds:—"It has been discovered lately that salted Locusts form a wholesome and nutritious diet for horses, horned cattle, pigs, poultry, &c."

last month's 'Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist.,' Mr. E.E. Austen has given a translation of Prof. F.O. Guldberg's lecture before the Biological Society of Christiania, "On movement in a circle as the fundamental form of movement in animals: its cause, manifestation, and significance."