4C0 IlISTOltV OK 



tions ; but \Ahcn the evening approaches, neither art nor flight 

 can shield the wretched inhabitants from their attacks ; though 

 millions are destroyed, still millions more succeed, and produce 

 unceasing torment. The native Indians, who anoint their bodies 



liot climates. It also abounds, during- their short summer, throughout Lap. 

 land, Norway, and Finland, and other coTuitries equally near the pole. The 

 fiMiiiile bites, and suclvs the lilood in such a severe manner, as to swell and 

 blister the skin very severely, and sometimes leave obstinate sores. These 

 insects are found in such swarms, in the woods, that whoever enters them 

 is sure to have liis face covered, and he is scarcely able to see his way before 

 liim. A swelling and disagreeable itch instantly follows the puncture, and 

 these are succeeded by small white ulcers; so that the face of a person 

 coming from the country is scarcely to be recognised, and it appears full of 

 blotches. Even gloves are not always found a protection against these 

 troublesome insects, as they often pass their stings through the seams. It 

 is the female only that bites ; the buzzing, however, of both males and fe- 

 males is so very loud, as to he alone sufficient to disturb the rest of persons 

 at night. 



The O.v Gad-JJi/ has brown unspotted wings ; and the abdomen is marked 

 with a black band in the middle, and has dusky yellow hairs at the tip. The 

 front is white, and covered with down ; and the thorax is yellowish before, 

 black in the middle, and cinereous behind. The female differs from the male 

 in having a black style at the end of the abdomen. This insect deposits its 

 eggs in the back of the ox, and the larvae live beneath the skin, between this 

 and the cellular membrane. Its sac or abscess is somewhat larger than the 

 insect, and by narrowing upwards, it opens externally to the air by a small 

 aperture. 



When younsf the larva is smooth, white, and transparent; but, when 

 full grown, is of a deep brown. It is also supplied, in this state, with innti. 

 morable minute hooks, ranged in contrary directions on its body, with 

 which, by occasionally erecting or depressing them, it is moved about in the 

 abscess ; and from this motion, and the consequent irritation, a more or less 

 copious secretion of pus takes place for its sustenance. As soon as the larva 

 is full grown, it effects its escape from the abscess by pressing against the 

 external opening. When this becomes of sufficient size, it writhes itself 

 through, and falls from the back of the animal to the ground ; and, seeking 

 for a convenient place, becomes a chrysalis. After the exit of the larva, 

 the wound in the skin is generally closed up and healed in a few days. 

 When the perfect insect leaves the chrysalis, it forces open a very consider- 

 able marginatcd triangular lid, which is situated on one side of the small 

 end. This insect is the largest of the European species, and is very beauti- 

 ful : it is, however, the terror of cattle, as it inflicts great pain when depo- 

 siting its eggs. 



The Horse Gad-fly is distinguished from the rest of its tribe by having a 

 black band in the middle and two dots at the tip of its whitish wings. The 

 abdomen is yellow brown, with black spots at the divisions of the segments 

 1 he female is more brown than the male, and has her abdomen elongated 

 with a cleft terminal style. The larvae are those odd. looking grubs wliidi 

 arc commonly found in the stomachs of horses, and sometimes, though mucli 



