526 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



sions, in proportion to the size of the grub, plate x. fig. d. 

 It is not until the middle of May that these bumps can bo 

 seen full grown ; but, owing to particular circumstances, 

 thej do not attain an equal size. The largest of these are 

 sixteen or seventeen lines in diameter by the base, and about 

 one inch high, but they are scarcely perceptible before the 

 beginning, or during the course of the winter. 



Young cattle are most commonly attacked by these in- 

 sects, and the most healthy are fixed upon for the deposi- 

 tion of their eggs ; a wonderful proof of the instinct of 

 these flies. Cattle-dealers and farmers have remarked this 

 fact, and the latter always find the hides the best that these 

 flies prefer. The number of bumps, or wurbles, which are 

 found upon a beast, is equal to the number of eggs which 

 have been deposited in its flesh ; or, to speak more correctly, 

 the number of eggs which have become matured under the 

 skin, as those which have been fertile. Sometimes there 

 will J3e found a single wurble on a cow, while in others up- 

 wards of thirty have been counted. The ordinary size of 

 the full-grown grub is represented on plate x. fig. 16 ; and 

 18 is a magnified figure. Fig. 13 is a greatly magnified 

 view of the tail of the grub. 



Remedies. — As soon as it is detected that the skin of the 

 cow is penetrated by this insect, the part m^ay be squeezed 

 between the two thumbs, and the grub will be forced through 

 the aperture in the skin. If the person have not sufficient 

 strength to dislodge it, this can be easily accomplished by 

 the aid of a pair of shoemaker's pincers. This may be 

 done at any time while the grub remains. Any other 

 mode of cure is of no avail. When the grub has been 

 ejected, let a drop of turpentine be put into the cavity, and 

 in a short time it will heal up. 



