HUNTERS 193 



farmers ; in those of owners of large studs, who 

 employ expensive stud-grooms to manage their 

 stables ; and in the paddocks of breeders of blood- 

 stock, may be found any day in the season 

 numbers of animals doomed to go through many 

 months of gradual wasting away of flesh and 

 condition, which is erroneously attributed to a 

 summer's run at grass. 



Q. At what period of the summer may the 

 bot-fly be expected to lay its eggs ? 



A. At any time between the end of June and 

 the middle or end of September. 



Q. What do the eggs look like ? 



A. Small hay-seeds, and I have frequently 

 been told by farmers and even horse-dealers, that 

 they ivere hay-seeds, until they have been con- 

 vinced to the contrary. 



Q. Whereabouts do the flies fix their eggs ? 



A. Mostly about the inside of the knees and 

 forearms, but also along the ribs (especially the 

 girth place), and often on the shoulders and 

 neck. They are invariably placed at the spots 

 where a horse can easily reach to rub and bite 

 himself with his teeth ; or where another, per- 

 forming that friendly operation, is most likely to 

 come in contact with them. 



Q. Do they adhere firmly to the hair ? 



A. Very firmly indeed, and are difficult to get 

 ofl:. They may be sponged over with a weak 

 solution of methylated spirits, or something 

 similar, which will dry up the egg and destroy 

 its vitality ; but unless each crop of eggs is 

 removed it is impossible to tell when fresh ones 

 are laid amongst the old ones. A quick way of 

 14 



