(ESTBU6, ONISCUS. 227 



From some observations which I have made, I 

 am inclined to the following opinion ; but I con- 

 fess it wants farther pruof. That the eggs depos- 

 ited under the skin, near the inner angle formed 

 by the horse's head and neck, are the only eggs ov 

 nits, which produce the bot larva. That when 

 they pass into the larva state, they are very small, 

 and make their way directly into the alimentary 

 canal, and soon grow to size sufficient to injure or 

 destroy the horse. This hypothesis is more con- 

 formable to analogy, if we study the habits of 

 other animals, not intestinal, which inhabit the 

 bodies of large animals, while in the larva state. 



If on further observation this opinion should be 

 established, horses may be saved from the mortal 

 malady, called the bots, by fastening a piece of 

 oil-cloth under the throat, for three or four weeks ; 

 commencing on or about the last week in August. 

 As my observations are confined to one year, I 

 would invite all students in zoology to make care- 

 ful observations on this insect ; anu, if possible, 

 to hatch out a bot larva, and see whether the ve- 

 terinm is, or is not, the only species which causes 

 such destruction among the most valuable of all 

 animals. 



See MS. P. 



91. ONCHIDIUM. Spec. 1. 



typluz, body convex above, ash-colour, tnfaercled ; 

 flat and smooth beneath. An inch long, or more 

 when creeping. 



Sec M-S. . 



6 2 to 5. ONISCUS, Spec. 43. 

 armadillo, (sowbug,) feelers unequal, hind ones 



