( i$9 ) 



XXVI. Obfervations on the Genus Oestrus. By Mr. Br acy Clark, 

 Veterinary Surgeon, and F.L.S. 



Read November 1, 1796- 



THE following account of the Oejiri was collected from obfer- 

 vations, which were made during a few months refidence in 

 a country particularly favourable for remarks of this nature ; and 

 though a fmall part of their hiftoiy ftill remains unknown, thefe 

 obfervations may perhaps be acceptable to the Linnean Society, 

 from the additional information they contain concerning this 

 genus, and from the correction of fome material errors which are, 

 at prefent, generally admitted as truths by naturalifts. 



The pain the Oeftri inflict on the animals that are fubje£t to them 

 particularly entitles them to our notice, and more efpecially as thofe 

 are unfortunately the ufeful and the domefticated. By their con- 

 tinual attacks, thefe fmall yet formidable enemies interrupt the 

 few moments of repofe and enjoyment allowed to thefe ufeful 

 (laves during the fummer months. Nor does the punimment end 

 here: the larva, by remaining with them, are frequently fuppofed 

 the caufe of their difeafe, and even death. Thefe circumftances 

 render the investigation of their natural hiftoiy an object: of fome 

 importance; and the extraordinary means they purfue in depofiting 

 their eggs, the fituations the larva inhabit, and the very high tem- 

 perature to which they are expofed, render their hiftory interefling 

 from its fingularity. 



Vol. III. V p K 



