The Fly Agaric,Soma,Father Christmas and the Vikings

1　ThemushroomTheFlyAgaric (Amanitamuscaria (L :Fr.)Hooker)belongstothegenusAmanitaPers .,agroupwhichhasplayedmajorrolesinhumanaffairsthrough outhistory .Itincludesboththemostlydeadlypoi sonousspeciesandpossiblythemostdeliciousspeciesofalloftheediblewildmushrooms.TheFlyAgaricrepresentsthebestknownofallthewildmushroomsandhadthegreatesteffectuponmankindandworldhistory .Itistobeseeninmanychildren′sbooksasthelarge ,brightredmushroomwiththewhitespots,invariablyassociatedwithfairiesandelves.It…     

The First Complete 3D Reconstruction of a Spanish Fly Primary Larva (Lytta vesicatoria,Meloidae, Coleoptera)

The first detailed anatomical study of a primary larva of Meloidae is presented. Thereby techniques such as three-dimensional reconstructions, microtome sections, SEM (scanning electronic microscopy) and CLSM (confocal laser scanning microscopy) are applied. The structural features are discussed in the context of phylogeny, but also possible correlations with parasitism, phoresy and miniaturisation. The triungulin first instar larva is likely an apomorphy of Meloidae excl. Eleticinae and linked with a specialisation on acridoid eggs or larvae and provisions of bees. The campodeid body shape of Lytta and Meloinae is a groundplan feature of Meloidae, whereas a navicular body is an autapomorphy of the generally phoretic larvae of Nemognathinae. Head structures of Lytta and features of the postcephalic body are largely plesiomorphic. The musculature of the head is only moderately simplified while the one of the postcephalic body is well developed. Its thorax is largely characterised by plesiomorphies. The characteristics of the legs suggest phoretic habits, even though this does not apply to larvae of Lytta. It is conceivable that a phoretic behaviour is secondarily lost, together with some but not all morphological modifications related to it. Derived features of the abdomen of Meloidae are the complete loss of the fixed urogomphi (also missing in Rhipiphoridae and other related groups) and the presence of one or two conspicuous caudal bristles. Only few features of Lytta are shared with the parasitic larvae of Rhipiphoridae and Strepsiptera. These characteristics, which are possibly linked with specialised life habits, have obviously evolved independently. Miniaturisation effects are minimal in the larvae of Lytta.     

The polytene chromosomes of Drosophila triauraria and D. quadraria, sibling species of D. auraria.

The polytene chromosomes of Drosophila triauraria and D. quadraria, two of the sibling species of D. auraria, were examined. The polytene chromosomes of all three species exhibit very clear homology. Unlike the stock of D. auraria that we studied, D. triauraria and D. quadraria carry heterozygous paracentric inversions. In both species, 2R and 3R are the arms where these inversions are concentrated. In addition, in D. quadraria, the 3L chromosome arm is very complicated because of heterozygous inversions. The mode of inheritance of these rearrangements was studied. A homozygous strain for all chromosome arms of D. triauraria was isolated, while a homozygous strain was obtained only for the arms X, 2L, 3L, and 4 of D. quadraria. Like D. auraria, both species show a large number of inverted tandem duplications in the paired condition, even in the chromosomes of their hybrids. Small deletions were also detected, one of which, in D. triauraria, is homozygous terminal. Hypotheses are discussed concerning the relationships of the species and the existence of inverted tandem duplications.     

The phytotoxicity of D.D.T. and of benzene hexachloride

Spraying with two preparations of D.D.T. had a negligible effect on the maturation of outdoor tomatoes and of summer cabbage. Spraying with a commercial D.D.T. suspension damaged cucurbits and treatment with the suspension base distorted glasshouse cucumbers during one season only.
Benzene hexachloride (B.H.C.) sprays did not affect the yield or flavour of tomatoes, but, at concentrations higher than those normally used, they severely scorched radish, turnip, swede, kale, spinach and beetroot seedlings. The application of B.H.C. dusts stunted seedlings of radish.
On one occasion young potato foliage was damaged by relatively high concentrations of two compounded B.H.C. sprays and by B.H.C. dust but late-season older foliage was unaffected. A spray compounded from B.H.C. dispersible powder caused tainting of potatoes, peas, carrots, beetroot, marrows, cauliflowers and lettuce. Apples and plums treated with B.H.C. spray preparations developed a taint after cooking.