1774 



NITS ON HOESES 267 



Mr. B. thinks your lameness is the cramp. 



Just as I had finished thus far your entertaining letter of 

 Sept. 13 th came to hand. I am convinced by Reaumur 

 with respect to the (Estrus hovis, &c., and much pleased 

 that you have discovered and seen with your own eyes, 

 and caught with your own hands a curvicauda ; but it seems 

 strange that you did not see eggs on the horse's hair ! 

 perhaps the color of the horse might prevent your seeing 

 them. Horses of dark color are quite discolored by them. 

 I wish to know the nidus of the great Tahanus also ; it 

 haunts, I know, watery, moory places. The Sturnus coUaris 

 can't be a Fringilla, since it has no conic bill. All grass- 

 horses now in watery places have nits. I am pleased to 

 find that Insect extends to your distant part. You may 

 see with your own eyes the parent deposit each single 

 egg. Your remark concerning the bivalve shape of the 

 egg is a good one. 



To the Rev John White. 



Oxford, Octobr. [1774.] 



Dear Brother, — Your letter of Oct. 2nd arrived just as 

 I was prepared to set out for this place, to which I was 

 called a day or two sooner than I intended on account of the 

 University election. I left brother Thomas behind at my 

 own house ; and brother Ben. at Newton, intending to club 

 for a post-chaise in a day or two, and to return to town. 

 Brother Thomas has been bathing in the salt-water at 

 Lymington for rheumatic complaints. Poor Nanny White 

 has rather been better for a day or two past, and has rested, 

 and slept a little, and shewed a little appetite : so that her 

 friends were willing to flatter themselves that her illness 

 might take a better turn. She never had any cough. 



I heartily wish it was as much in my power as in my 

 inclination, to assist you in the concern you mention. As 

 to Mr. Hill, I never heard of him but at Fyfield, and there- 



