360 WHITE 



proach the place, these insects begin to be alarmed, and, with 

 a sharp and hostile sound, dash and strike round the heads 

 and faces of intruders. I have often been interrupted myself 

 while contemplating the grandeur of the scenery around me, 

 and have thought myself in danger of being stung. WHITE. 



WASPS. Wasps abound in woody wild districts far from 

 neighborhoods ; they feed on flowers, and catch flies and cater- 

 pillars 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 mixture 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 um- 

 bellated plants; they carry off also flesh from butchers' 

 shambles. WHITE. 



In the year 1775, wasps abounded so prodigiously in this 

 neighborhood 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. 



CESTRUS CURVICAUDA. This insect lays its nits or eggs on 

 horses' legs, flanks, etc., 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 sometimes seen in the uplands. WHITE. 



NOSE-FLY. About the beginning of July a species of fly 

 (mused) obtains, which proves very tormenting to horses, try- 

 ing 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 wood-land districts become very 

 impatient at their work, continually tossing their heads, and 

 rubbing their noses on each other, regardless of the driver, so 

 that accidents often ensue. In the heat of the day, men are 

 often obliged to desist from ploughing. Saddle-horses are. 



