LICKED BEEF. XXUl 



part to show me how much tlie condition was altered from that of the 

 healthy portions. — Ed. 



The hide in this case, and in the others in which pieces were sent 

 to show the condition when badly infested, was a truly loathsome 

 sight. The figure at p. 18 shows just a small piece with the warble- 

 cells as they appear on the lower surface when the hide has been 

 removed, but in this case only half the full size. Those whose busi- 

 ness connects them with observation of this state of things know well 

 what a sight a much-infested, newly-flayed hide is. Those who do 

 not may imagine the inner side scattered over along the region of the 

 loins or upper part of the back with a quantity of loose baggy-looking 

 lumps, which, if watched, will show the shape of the thick fleshy 

 maggots, up to about an inch in length, wriggling about within, and 

 in some cases breaking out through the thin tissues of the lower part 

 of the hide. With this comes the floAV of the filthy mat^-er they have 

 been feeding on, and the sight, accompanied by all the various dis- 

 colorations from iuflammation, ulceration, and other wretched circum- 

 stances, is, in the words of the heads of one of our tanning firms, 

 "truly sickening." 



In answer to an enquiry of mine whether the alteration in the 

 carcase, called "licked beef," takes place only where the beast can 

 lick the place, Mr. Pearson replied: — "It will take place whether 

 the beast can lick it or not, as there is the irritation continually 

 going on ; of course licking aggravates the case, and makes the carcase 

 worse." 



Much communication on this subject passed through my hands 

 during the investigation ; but without entering on all these, the above 

 observations and just the two following short notes, with which I was 

 favoured, are quite enough to show the nature of this diseased con- 

 dition consequent on warble-attack. 



The first is from Mr. Joseph Wing, hide broker, of Pen Street, 

 Boston, who noted from his own observations as to condition of warbled 

 beasts : — " The effects are something as you state. There is a jelly or 

 watery substance on the back of the carcase when dressed, on and 

 between the rind or thick skin and the bone of the beast." 



The following note was given me at the beginning of April by Mr. 

 John Risdon, of Golsoncott Farm, Washford, Taunton (auctioneer to 

 the Devon Cattle Breeders' Society) ; — " I received your communication 

 on my way to Taunton Market on Saturday ; one butcher, well known 

 to me, and a man of great experience, told me he killed a bullock a 

 few days before so discoloured by licking the warble-grubs that he had 

 to scrape off nearly the whole of the spine (fat) to render the carcase 

 presentable for sale." 



To these may be added the following detailed note turning partly 



