INSECTS AND VERMES 431 



WASPS 



Wasps abound in woody wild districts far from neigh- 

 bourhoods ; 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 

 umbellated plants : they carry off also flesh from butchers' 

 shambles. 



OESTRUS 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. 



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 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 also very troublesome at such seasons. 

 Country people call this insect the nose fly. 



