376 OBSERVATIONS 



far from neighbourhoods : they feed on flowers, and 

 catch flies and caterpillars to carry to their young. 

 Wasps make their nests with the raspings of sound 

 timber ; hornets with what they gnaw from decayed : 

 these particles of wood are kneaded up with a mix- 

 ture of saliva from their bodies, and moulded into 

 combs. 



When there is no fruit in the gardens, wasps eat 

 flies, and suck the honey from flowers, from ivy 

 blossoms, and umbellated plants : they carry off also 

 flesh from the butchers' shambles. WHITE. 



In the year 1775, wasps abounded so prodigiously 

 in this neighbourhood, that, in the month of August, 

 no less than seven or eight of their nests were 

 ploughed up in one field ; of which there were several 

 instances, as I was informed. 



In the spring, about the beginning of April, a 

 single wasp is sometimes seen, which is of a larger 

 size than usual : this, I imagine, is the queen, or 

 female wasp, the mother of the future swarm. 



MARKWICK. 



OESTRUS CURVICAUDA. This insect lays its nits, 

 or eggs,, on horses' legs, flanks, &c. each on a single 

 hair. The maggots, when hatched, do not enter the 

 horses' skins, but fall to the ground. It seems to 

 abound most in moist, moorish places, though some- 

 times seen in the uplands. WHITE. 



NOSE FLY. About the beginning of July, a 

 species of fly (musca) obtains, which proves very 

 tormenting to horses, trying still to enter their 

 nostrils and ears, and actually laying their eggs in 

 the latter of those organs, or perhaps in both. 

 When these abound, horses in woodland districts 

 become very impatient at their work, continually 



