as affecting Domesticated Animals. 



47 



Fig, 5. 



and ciliated, with stiff hairs ; third joint of the antennjie the 

 longest, and clavate ; . . . . eyes very small ; . . . . prothorax 

 sub-conical, truncate before and behind, nearly as wide as the 

 head ; metathorax transverse, the width of the head ; . . . . 

 abdomen oblong-; .... legs fulvous, rather thick; tibia* ab- 

 ruptly clavate and toothed ; tarsi long ; ungues nearly straight." 

 He also adds, " the only specimen of the species which I have 

 seen was forwarded by the Rev. L. Jenyns, who took it from 

 a sheep." 



We have been more fortunate in meeting with the Trichodectes, 

 and have many specimens in our possession, by which we are 

 enabled to give the subjoined representation of it (see Fig. 5). 

 The parasite is small, and hence the illustra- 

 tion is greatly magnified, and thus shows most 

 of the characteristics mentioned by Denny. 



In some cases which have come under our 

 observation these lice have been present in 

 very large numbers. They appear to show a 

 preference for the inner part of the thighs, 

 and arms, and sides of the neck of the sheep. 

 Their location in the latter situation often in- 

 duces the animal to thrust its head between 

 the bars of gates and horizontal rails to seek 

 relief from the irritation by rubbing, a cir- 

 cumstance which occasionally has led to its 

 becoming fixed and strangled. If the wool 

 be broken, or short, and detached in places, 

 and if the sheep nibbles its flanks and other 

 parts of its body, and scratches its elbows 

 with the hind feet, as in scab, an examination 

 should be made, which will often be rewarded by a discovery of 

 the parasites. 



Sulphuretted oil will be found efficacious in destroying these 

 lice, besides which the use of an agent of this kind during the 

 winter months is more prudent, as sheep cannot now be safely 

 dipped. In-lamh eices must also be freed from the parasites in 

 the same manner. Some persons add an eighth, or even a sixtli, 

 part of mercurial ointment to the oil, which is, however, ob- 

 jectionable when much of the surface of the body has to be 

 dressed over. The increased efficacy of the mixture does not 

 compensate for the risk which is incurred. Many other agents 

 might be named for the destruction of these lice, but it is not 

 necessary to do so ; the utility of sulphuretted oil being so well 

 established. 



Trichodectes Ovis. 

 Magnified. 



