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XXVI. Ohfervatiom on the Genus Oestrus. By Mr. Bracy Clark^ 

 Feterinary Surgeon, and F.L.S. 



Read November 1, 1796. 



THE following account of the OeJIri was coUecled from obicr- 

 vations, which were made duiing a few months refidence in 

 a country particularly favourable for remarks of this nature; and 

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

 obfervations may perhaps be acceptable to the Linnean Societ}-, 

 from the additional information they contain concerning this 

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

 at prefent, generally admitted as truths by naturahfts. 



The pain the Oejiri inflid on the animals that are fubjedl to them 

 particularly entitles them to our notice, and more efpecially as thofc. 

 are; unfortunately the ufeful and the dornefticated. By their con- 

 tinual attacks, thefe fmall yet formidable enemies interrupt the 

 few moments of repofe and enjoyment allowed to thefe ufeful 

 flaves during the fummer months. Nor does the punilliment end 

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

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

 render the inveftigation of their natural hiftory an objedl 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 interefting 

 from its fingularity. 



yoL. III. V p If 



