436 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OP THE OX. 



Indeed, adding together every source of damage, we may 

 roughly estimate that the annual loss to the people of Great 

 Britain as a result of this mischievous pest is as much as ahout 

 four and a half million pounds sterling; and, in saying this, we 

 would also impress upon our readers that it is the healthiest 

 oxen, with soft, mellow, and highly nutritious skins which are 

 most likely to be subjected to the ravages of this pernicious fly. 



We have mentioned the gad-jiy of the ox, which is an insect 

 of a character very different from the warble-fly. The gad-fly 

 drives its jaw-lancets into the skin of cattle, and then sucks 



Fig. 55. — Thk Gad-fly of the Ox. 



their blood. It causes severe pain. The mixtures recommended 

 above will serve equally well to protect oxen from the attacks 

 of this fly. They should, however, be rubbed more generally 

 over the beast, and lower down, so as to include the brisket. 



It is desirable that oxen should have the power of sheltering 

 themselves in sheds; and shallow pools also are serviceable, since 

 it is said that the bot-fly will not pursue its victim over water. 



In concluding our remarks, we should point out, in regard 

 to the bot-fly, that those farmers who take in hand to destroy 

 the pest will individually profit by so doing, since the maggots, 

 if allowed to mature, become flies, and the herds in the same 

 fields are attacked year after year. 



