4 



. r r r f 

 r c 



^^^^ Sheep-Fluke. 



prospective researches. Though, therefore, the researches at present to be 



described are not barren of results, 

 some of Avhich have led to recom- 

 mendations of great practical value, 

 the reader is asked not to expect 

 what is impossible. 



Even now these pages would not 

 have been laid before the public if 

 the author's wish alone were con- 

 sulted. For his own part, he would 

 fain have waited until many investi- 

 gations he has now in hand had 

 yielded their results, so that he 

 might lay before his readers a more 

 complete picture of the life of the 

 scourge he is describing, and so that 

 his recommendations of a practical 

 nature might be even more complete 

 and useful. But a public officer en- 

 gaged upon scientific investigations 

 is often placed in this curious, and to himself sometimes uncomfortable, 

 position : his clients, the public, whose funds he is using, make such 



Experiment sheep, grazing, Moss Vale. ] 



Roundinef up sheep to select those 

 inarljed for experiment. 



importunate demands for the 

 benefit of whatever new facts 

 he may have discovered, and 



give such forcible reasons for their demands, that 



he feels bound to comply at the earliest possible 



moment. Now there is always a time in every 



investigation during which the result is compara- 

 tively certain, though it may require a long time 



yet to make a complete demonstration. Observe 



now the rack upon which the scientific public 



servant is stretched. Suppose he has made an 



important discovery : his reputation depends upon 



the freedom of his researches from mistake —and 



T suppose there is no class of men more apprehensive of mistake, or 



The next victim ! 



