RED-BEARDED BOT FLY. 59 
to an inch and three-fifths, the breadth at the widest part from about 
one-fifth to one-fourth of an inch. The shape somewhat cylindrical, 
blunt at the mouth end, narrowing more gradually to the tail, at the 
extremity of which is a group of prickly warts. The body is beset for 
about three-quarters of its length from the head end with transverse 
bands, and narrow and shorter stripes of reddish brown prickles, the 
eroup at the end of the tail being of a darker colour. The mouth- 
hooks are blackish brown. The general colour of the larva is of a 
beautiful yellow (‘‘schén gelb’’), slightly sprinkled with delicate brown. 
The exit of the maggots takes place from early in March until 
April through the nose or mouth of their hosts. When fallen to the 
ground, they endeavour at once to find some dark place for their 
change to chrysalis state, and if no favourable locality, as under 
leaves, &c., is at hand, they will creep away quickly to some distance. 
Here they very soon change to chrysalis or pupal state. The yellow 
colour gradually altering to red grey, then brown, and at last to a 
shining black brown, with lighter prickles. 
The length of the pupa is about three-quarters of an inch, the 
breadth at the centre about a third. They remain in this state for 
about three to four weeks or more, and are mostly to be found about 
the end of March and beginning of April. The first appearance of 
the flies is in May, and continues till July. (The above dates are 
those of the German observations.) 
The effect of the attack is certainly prejudicial, for, besides other 
inconveniences, it is noted that, if a Deer is attacked by many flies, 
soon, one after the other, its nose bleeds, and the mucous skin becomes 
very much inflamed. When the larval growth is nearly complete,— 
that is, at the third stage,—the maggots are to be found in the cavity 
of the mouth, or at the palate, the Eustachian tube, and other 
localities, as parts of the tongue and gullet. 
Whether there is reason to fear that this detrimental attack ig really 
new in this country, or whether, as may be hoped, the observation of 
it is owing to the much increased attention given to entomological 
research, remains to be seen; but, meanwhile, if any plan by rewards 
or otherwise could be imagined by those cognizant with possibilities 
for its complete extirpation as soon as possible, it would be a public 
benefit. 
With the wild Red Deer the remedies for Sheep Nostril Fly are 
not applicable; but though I have not sufficient knowledge of the 
subject to suggest with any confidence, it occurs whether by placing 
salt in the haunts of the Deer, which (as in prevention of Sheep Fly) 
the animals could only get at by rubbing their nostrils through holes 
smeared with tar, some preventive good might be done. 
