98 Journal New York Entomological Society, t'^'o'- ^^^' 



THE HEAD AND THROAT BOTS OF AMERICAN 

 GAME ANIMALS. 



By Charles H. T. Townsend, 

 Washington, D. C. 



The bots here considered all belong to the genus Ccphcncmyia. 

 The flies of this genus larviposit at the entrance of the nostrils or 

 on or about the nose or mouth of various members of the Cervidse, 

 and probably at times of certain allied families of ruminants. The 

 newly deposited larvse gain entrance to the host normally through 

 the nostrils, but no doubt also at times through the mouth. They 

 cling by their spines and mouth-hooks to the mucous membranes near 

 the point of entrance, and feed upon the mucous exudation which 

 their irritation causes the membranes to secrete. On reaching second 

 stage they penetrate farther within. The bots have been found in the 

 following situations in the host : 



1. Narcs. — The nasal cavity is evidently the original habitat of 

 the larvae, whence they at times migrate or become dislodged and 

 make their way to other nearby parts wherever they can find lodgment. 



2. Nasal Sinuses. — Often infested and reached directly from the 

 nares. 



3. Frontal Sinuses. — At times infested and reached from the nares 

 by way of the channel or grooved passage between the turbinated 

 bones. This is the situation meant in the occasional reports of larvae 

 from the "brain cavity." The brain is evidently never reached. 



4. Eustachian Tubes. — Reached through the posterior opening of 

 the nares. 



5. Pharynx. — Failing to become attached at the opening of the 

 Eustachian tubes the larvae, on emerging from the posterior opening 

 of the nares, frequently find lodgment in the pharynx by securing 

 a hold on its walls. 



6. Soft Palate. — Reached on falling from the walls of the 

 pharynx. 



y. Base of Tongue. — Reached as in the preceding or directly from 

 the mouth. 



8. Larynx. — At times the larvae, falling from the pharynx and 



