and the Maritime Provinces. 181 



the tree unless you had seen him. Now if you go close to the tree and 

 step quickly to the other side you will see him whisk himself suddenly to 

 the opposite side from you, where he is now closely hugging the tree and 

 perfectly motionless; your interest has now become awakened, you are 

 curious to see more of him ; but to do so you must retire a few rods and 

 remain perfectly still. You had better take a comfortable seat, for he will 

 not move while you are near the tree. Presently, you see his head with its 

 bright, lively eyes slowly moving around to the side where you are ; this is 

 the first reconnoitering movement. If you remain perfectly still he will 

 soon take his position on a limb where, jerking his tail and daunting it in 

 conscious security, he gives vent to his satisfaction at your removal in a 

 series of chattering barks which are answered, perhaps, by other squirrels 

 that you had no thought were in the neighborhood; soon one of them, 

 with a challenging bark or chatter, chases another, and shortly three or 

 four of them are scampering about, running through the fallen leaves, and 

 up and down the trees in high sport ; presently one of them in escaping 

 from the others comes suddenly near you; with a shrill whistle of aston- 

 ishment he scampers up the nearest tree and is soon as effectually con- 

 cealed as all the others were the instant he gave the alarm. You may as 

 well retire now, for you will see nothing more of these ; as long as you 

 remain near they will not budge a foot. 



" It is a matter of common observation among sportsmen," con- 

 tinued the Doctor, " that a large proportion of both the male gray and red 

 squirrels are castrated. It has been supposed that this has been done 

 from jealousy ; have you ever given the matter any investigation " ? 



"Oh, yes," I replied; "the emasculation is done by the larva of a fly, 

 (Cuterebra emasadator). The egg is probably laid in the same manner as 

 that of the bot-fly of the horse, and the grub taking up its abode in the 

 scrotum, consumes the testicles. This fact was discovered by Dr. Asa 

 Fitch, the late entomologist to the New York State Agricultural Society. 

 There is no doubt that male squirrels attack each other when afflicted 

 with this parasite, for the act has been witnessed many times." * 



" But here we are at camp again, Doctor, and the old smoker is at 

 work, if it is Sunday." 



* Dr. Fitch, in treating of this matter, says : — 



" I am therefore led to believe that these animals do attack each 

 other in the manner that has been stated ; not, however, for the purpose of 

 emasculating their comrades, as has been supposed, but for the purpose of 

 coming at and destroying these bot-grubs, the enemies of their race. We 

 know the terror which some of these bot-flies give to the animals on which 

 they are parasites, and the efforts which animals make to escape from them. 

 The squirrel, also, is undoubtedly conscious that this insect is his greatest 

 foe ; he probably has sufficient intelligence to be aware that from the grub 

 which is this year tormenting one of his unfortunate comrades, will come a 

 descendant which next year may afflict him or some of his progeny in the 



