4

THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER INSTITUTE

required additional staff—the Governing Body, Indian Research Fund
Association, was asked to meet the pay of the extra personnel required.

    This sanction having been received the examination of 40 rats (i.e., 6
rats each from 5 areas, and 10 from the sixth) per day was commenced
on the 4th May and continued till the end of the year.

    Progressive reports on the work carried out were forwarded to the
Secretary, Indian Research Fund Association, and the report on this
survey covering a period of one year will be published in due course.

    (2)An Investigation carried out in connection with the Rangoon Water
Supply Survey, 1928.—The object of this investigation was principally to
determine the upstream tidal limit of the river salinity with a view to
locating a suitable intake if desired hereafter.

    It was also desired to determine the turbidity of the water in order
to estimate the amount of silt which would have to be removed from the
river water.

    This work was commenced on 24th March 1928, and on May 23,
Mr. Moitra was placed on deputation under the Officer-in-charge,
Rangoon Water Supply Scheme, and continued on deputation till the
end of the year.

    Monkey Point Water Investigation.—At the request of the Officer-in-
charge, Brigade Laboratory, Rangoon, several samples of water collected
within and around the Monkey Point Area were examined bacteriologi-
cally with a view to tracing the source of pollution of the piped-water
supply in the Monkey Point area. This water when first examined was
found to be dangerously polluted, and was also objectionable owing to
the odour emanating therefrom. The results of examination were
communicated to the authorities concerned, who, acting thereon, were
able to trace the cause and remedy the situation.

    Jumping Powers of Rats.—A small investigation into the jumping powers
of various species of rats was commenced in January of the year under
report. For this purpose a specially designed building was erected, and
the investigation proceeded satisfactorily while bandicoots were being
experimented with. A Rattus rattus however gave definite proof that
the room would have to be more cunningly designed in order to
frustrate ways and means of reaching food other than by a direct jump.
His method of approach was eventually detected by plastering soft
plasticine brushed over with a solution of glycerine and fuchsin or other
colours on certain parts of the shelf, walls and floor over which it was
suspected the rat passed to gain access to the food. He thus left a
tell-tale coloured track behind him in addition to impressions of his
claws in the soft plasticine. Certain structural alterations in the room
are now being carried out which should eliminate such circumvention.

    Malaria Bureau.—Dr. E. S. Feegrade held charge of the Bureau.
assisted by Sub-Assistant Surgeon U Tin. An entomological collection
consisting of biting flies, etc., from Rangoon and various parts of Burma