CO885-(25-26) — Page 122

120

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TPELLICO.885/25

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

290

Collections of Insects.—After a progressive decrease during the War, the number of insects received has at last taken an upward turn, and in the following details The collections the numbers given in brackets are those for the preceding year. received amounted to 140 (118), and these were sent by 49 (48) different corres pondents, distributed as follows:-Africa, 19; Asia, 12; Europe, 9; Tropical America, 8; Australasia, 1. The collections contained over 16,000 (11,000) specimens, of which 4,000 (2,000) were blood-suckers. During the year 65 (70) lists of identi- fications were issued, comprising 1,205 (1,297) specific names.

Of named blood-sucking insects, 4,995 (405) were presented to the following institutions:-Aberdeen University, 2,051: Blackpool School of Army Sanitation, 78; Cambridge University, 75; Edinburgh University, 72; Leyden School of Tropical Medicine, 844; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, 1,452; London University, 707; Saskatchewan University, 221. The insects presented to the British Museum totalled 7,800 (5,755); of these 39 (20) were types of species new to science, and among the rest were 62 (59) named species not previously represented in the museum

collection.

This

Special Investigations. Having heard in January from Mr. W. F. Fiske that if there was no chance of continuing his Glossina work in Africa he would accept a post that had been offered to him in the United States, I approached the Colonial Office on the subject, and urged the importance of carrying on the Glossina investi- gations. A cable was thereupon sent to the Governor of Uganda, and in his reply

as before. he offered an appointment to Mr. Fiske on the same terms Mr. Fiske accepted, and he arrived in England at the end of February and pro- ceeded to finish off his report on the work that he had already done. This is a lengthy document, and unfortunately it was quite impossible to get it printed in time for circulation to members before the annual meeting of the Committee. Con- sequently a short statement of his general conclusions, and a very brief summary of the contents of the report, have been prepared for this purpose.

With regard to the proposal to undertake investigations in connexion with the insect pests of foodstuffs, it will be recalled that the intention was to carry these out through the medium of the Board of Agriculture, as the Bureau itself has no facilities for work of this kind. Several useful pieces of work had been proposed by Mr. Fryer, but, anticipating that our scheme would be abandoned as a result of the armistice, he had secured grants for all these from other sources just prior to our last meeting. In subsequent discussions we found it difficult to devise any suitable investigation of which he would be justified in undertaking the supervision, and which would at the same time come within the definition laid down by the Committee. After consultation with Sir Herbert Read it was decided that I should write to Dr. Gordon Hewitt, in Canada, and Mr. C. P. Lounsbury, in South Africa, asking whether they had any suggestions to make. Dr. Hewitt replied merely to the effect that the grain pest inquiry was obviously one that should have been entrusted to the Bureau, but he presumed that it was too late now to make any alteration. Mr. Lounsbury also gives special prominence to this line of work, but adds six other suggestions. In view of the altered financial position no immediate action was taken, and the proposals will be laid before the Committee for consideration.

Carnegie Fund.-Thanks to the kind assistance of our Chairman, we have recently received a cheque for £3,000 from Mr. Carnegie, being his contribution in respect of the three years 1917-19. Having regard to the present difficulties of transport it is presumed that no steps will yet be taken in connexion with our Carnegie Studentships.

May, 1919.

223

APPENDIX I.

Balance Sheet us at 31st March, 1919.

Government grants

Carnegie Fund

Interest on deposits

Crown Agents (cash in hand)

Petty cash Salaries

Bulletin of Entomological Research Review of Applied Entomology Translations

Travelling expenses Scientific equipment Camp equipment Office furniture Publication office Library

...

Entomologist in Malay States Specialists' fees

Hypericum investigation General expenses

APPENDIX II.

CR

Dr.

Cr.

£

8. d.

£

B. d.

38,955 4 0

6,433 0

23 14 4

4

24,457 2

3

2,275 3 4

1,900 6 6

827 13 11

728 5 1

627 13 6

274 2 1

516 16 3

1,169 18 11

435 11 2

332 12

86 19

2

1

1 16 9

985 12 3

1,040 4 2

1,080 19 9

£41,078 7 11

£41,076 7 11

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1919.

Received.

Expended.

£

8. d.

£

s. d.

Government grants

4,171

5

8

Interest on deposits

167 17

6

Review of Applied Entomology

134 19 2

492 7 10

Bulletin of Entomological Research Salaries

113 18 11

209 16 5 3,064 11 10

Translations

Library

Queen's Gate Office

Travelling expenses Scientific equipment Hypericum investigation General expenses

143 6 6 119 8 142 7

2

8

13 13 3

3 6 0

1 16

9

74 3

0

£4,588 1 3

£4,264 17

3

224