328 MODERN FARRIER. 



17. Lice. 



Calves are sometimes lousy, if they have been 

 hard kept during winter, by being turned out in 

 severe weather, fed on poor diet, and not kept clean. 

 The best means of destroying these vermin, is by 

 rubbing their hide with an ointment composed of 

 staves-acre, or cayenne pepper, mixed up with hog's 

 lard. 



18. The Gad-fly. 



. The insect called gad-fiij is very troublesome to 

 cattle. Mr. Bracey Clarke has accurately described 

 the different species of these insects, and their effects. 

 The species called Oe. hovis chiefly attacks cattle, 

 through the skins of wliich it pierces, to deposit its 

 eggs. The pain which it inflicts in depositing its 

 egg, appears to be much more severe than what is 

 excited by any of the other species. When one of 

 the cattle is attacked by this fly, it is easily known 

 by the extreme terror and agitation that seizes the 

 whole herd. The unfortunate object of attack runs 

 bellowing from among his fellows, to some distant \ 

 part of the pasture, or to the nearest water, holding ■ 

 his tail, from the severity of the pain, extended 

 straight from the body, in a line with his back, with 

 a tremulous motion, and stretching out his head 

 and neck to the utmost. The rest of the herd, in- 

 fected with the like fear, tliough not attacked, fly 

 also to the water, or disperse to different parts of 

 the pasture. ' Such is the dread and apprehension 

 in the cattle for this fly,' says ]\Ir. Clarke, ' that I ;|j 

 have seen one of them meet the herd when almost 

 driven home, and turn them back, regardless of the 

 stones, sticks, and noise of their drivers ; nor could 

 they be stopped till they reached their accustomed 

 retreat in the water. 



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