2
(iv) Observations on the Filarial Embryos found in the general circula-
tion of the Equidae and Bovidae and their probable pathological
significance. "Fasiculus I. Bursati," published by Adlard and
Son, London.
(v) The significance of the pyriform and globular bodies present in the
circulation, organs and tissues in various forms of disease in man
and animals, respectively, with suggestions regarding their identi-
fication and classification.
4. Mallein.—The preparation of Mallein was undertaken during the past
year, a total of 1,514 doses were prepared and tested at this Laboratory and 675
issued to different persons as per Appendix No. III. In addition, 563 doses of
English and 170 of French Mallein were also issued.
5. Fodder and Supply.—No difficulty was experienced in the collection
of sufficient fodder supply at Muktesar, although arrangements had to be made
through a contractor to reserve and collect grass at a distance of about 8 miles
from Muktesar. The Nursery Garden, cultivated areas, part of Reserved and
Protected Forests of the Laboratory, together with the surrounding portion of
the Civil Forest at Muktesar, met a considerable portion of the demand for
grass. The area under cultivation was enhanced by about 40 acres during the
year under report.
Special arrangements, however, had to be effected for providing coolie
labour for the purposes of grass collection. This is always a difficult question,
for coolies are only to be obtained in large numbers from Doti (Nepal territory),
and then only when a responsible agent is despatched a distance of 150 to 200
miles to select and accompany the men to Muktesar. The local supply of
coolies being insufficient and the wages at least 50 per cent higher than those
paid to the Dotial coolies.
6. Forest.—The prescriptions of the working plan for the Muktesar Re-
served Forest were strictly adhered to and proved satisfactory with one excep-
tion, viz., that of the planting and sowing operations. The existing blank
places within the forest are the best areas for the growth of jungle grass and
it is only on such areas that the laboratory cattle can find good grazing.
7. As mentioned in several previous Annual Reports, the forest was
successfully protected against fire and, therefore, natural reproduction is now
establishing itself and making good progress in suitable portions of the Reserve.
8. Further, no illicit fellings were reported, but considerable supervision
with regard to the grazing of cattle belonging to the right holders had to be
exercised, as the villagers are so prone to exceed the number allowed by their
respective passes and also to graze their animals in the Reserve beyond the
allotted boundary.
9. During the year under report, correspondence was entered into and is
still going on with regard to making arrangements for the increased fodder
supply at Muktesar, and it was under contemplation that we should open up
large areas within the Reserve for the same purpose. In this connection it
must be stated that the demand in the near future, on the Muktesar Reserve
for fuel, charcoal, etc., will become excessive, on account of increase in the
population, installation of a steam Engine for pumping water, manufacture of
gas, large consumption of wood in burning carcasses, etc. The opening up
of the jungle as suggested above, must decrease the forest area and hence in the
future a time must arrive when the supply will not meet the demand. There-
fore, should the supply at any time fail, the usefulness of the Muktesar
Laboratory must at first be seriously hampered, and at a later date the work
must cease. For this reason, it is a matter of the utmost importance that the
Reserved Forest attached to the estate should be worked out systematically as
is at present being done (part of grass supply being obtained from outside our
boundary) and only under rare circumstances should the prescriptions of the
Working Plan be relaxed.
10. During the past year, 370 plants of Accacia, Blue gum and Cypress
were obtained from Chaubattia Nursery and planted at Muktesar, most of them
along the road side. A greater number of these as well as most of the young
seedlings planted during previous years, suffered from the effects of the severe
cold during the last winter.