A Parasite of the Maggot 



insect by that of another animal, the ox, for 

 instance, shall I obtain the same results? Logic 

 says yes; and logic is right. I dilute with a 

 few drops of water a little Liebig's extract, 

 that precious stand-by of the kitchen. I 

 operate with this fluid on six Cetoniae or Rose- 

 chafers, four in the grub stage, two in the 

 adult stage. At first, the patients move about 

 as usual. Next day, the two Cetonise are 

 dead. The larvas resist longer and do not die 

 until the second day. All show the same re- 

 laxed muscles, the same blackened flesh, signs 

 of putrefaction. It is probable, therefore, 

 that, if Injected Into our own veins, the same 

 fluid would likewise prove fatal. What Is ex- 

 cellent In the digestive tubes would be appal- 

 ling In the arteries. What is food In one case 

 Is poison In the other. 



A Liebig's extract of a different kind, the 

 broth In which the llquefier puddles, is of a 

 virulence equal, if not superior, to that of my 

 products. All those operated upon, Capri- 

 corns, Sacred Beetles, Ground-beetles, die in 

 convulsions. This brings us back, after a long 

 way round, to our starting-point, the maggot 

 of the Flesh-fly. Can the worm, constantly 

 floundering In the sanies of a carcass, be Itself 

 383 



