The locust plague and its suppression / by Æneas Munro.

  • Munro, Aeneas.
Date:
[1899]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The locust plague and its suppression / by Æneas Munro. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    380/388 (page 356)
    to what species or sub-family they may belong, whether Cross-bred, Shorthorns, Hereford, Devon, Polled-Angus, Jersey, Kerry, Ayrshire, or Highland, would be similarly attacked if exposed in the same way to the same cause. The species of locust in the Argentine as well as that found in Africa bear pretty much the same relationship to the parent genus locust as the different breeds of cattle mentioned above do to the parent ox or cow. So the simile to be of any parallel use ought to be restricted to cattle and not to sheep; otherwise, it would be more “scientific” and accurate to say that because the fungus produced excellent results on Pachytylus migratorius it might or might not have the same effect on bees—an insect that is of a totally different and distinct family. They are not related. I think the concluding sentence in the paragraph referred to might be very safely and well put if the terms were reversed, namely : “ That such results might occur is pro- bable, but that they might not is possible.” 899. The matter should be scientifically and exhaustively considered.—Note further the wording of the next paragraph: “If any of these fungi are to be relied upon, why not the native species,” etc. This savours of incredulity in the first place and partisanship in the next place. It is the business of the scientist to find out the fittest without fear or favour or partiality of any kind. Both varieties or species of fungi may answer the purpose equally well. The man of science only arrives as a rule at the result after long and laborious work and careful observation and many failures. 900. Principles enunciated at “Tuberculosis” meeting identical with those of this work.—A copy of the Edinburgh Scotsman of Wednesday, 21st December 1898, has been sent to me in consequence of the similarity of the principles it manifested in the report of the meeting on the previous night at Marlborough House, London, and convened by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, who presided on the occasion. The object of the meeting was the formation of “ The New National Association for the Prevention of Consumption,” and convened at the instigation of Sir William Broadbent, who, after stating the details as to the number of deaths annually and the modes as to the ways the disease spreads, said— “ ‘ But the adoption of the persons must catch the disease necessary measures has, as we know from abundant experience, been very slow, and would require many years, and if 70,000 persons die every year from tuberculous disease, which for Great Britain and Ireland is a very moderate computation, at least 200 new every day. It is the realisation of this fact that has called into existence “The National Associa- tion for the 1 Prevention of Con- sumption and Other Forms of Tuberculosis.” The mission of the Association is to carry into every dwelling in the land an