DISEASES AND REMEDIES 475 



attacks cattle, through the skins of which it pierces, to deposit 

 its eggs. The pain which it inflicts, in depositing its eggs, appears 

 to be much more severe than what is excited by any of the othsn: 

 species. When one of the cattle is attacked by this fly, it is 

 easily known by the extreme terror and agitation that seizes the 

 whole lierd. The unfortunate object of attack runs bellowing 

 from among his fellows, to some distant part of the pasture, or 

 to the nearest water, holding his tail, from the severity of the 

 pain, extended straight from the body, in a line with his back, 

 with a tremulous motion, and stretching out his head and neck 

 to the utmost. The rest of the herd, infected with the like fear, 

 though not attacked, fly also to the water, or disperse to the 

 different parts of the pasture. "Such is the dread and appre- 

 hension in the cattle, for this fly," says Mr. Clarke, "that I have 

 seen one of them meet the herd, when almost driven home, and 

 turn them back, regardless of the stones, sticks, and noise of the 

 drivers; nor could they be stopped till they reached their accus- 

 tomed retreat in the water." 



Should one of these flies happen to attack oxen that are 

 attached to the plow, there is frequently considerable danger, 

 since the animal becomes quite ungovernable, often rushing 

 directly forward with the plow, through hedges, or whatever 

 opposes his career. 



Steers, heifers, ai)d the younger cattle, are most commonly 

 attacked by tliis fly; the strongest and most healthy beasts are 

 generally selected by it; thus furnishing a very estimable crite- 

 rion of goodness to the dealers in cattle. Tanners also have 

 frequently observed, that their strongest and best hides have 

 usually the greatest number of holes in them. 



The larvae of the Oe bovis are generally distinguished among 

 country people by the various names of wormuls, wormils, or 

 warbles. 



The larvae, or the Oe equi are commonly termed bots, and the 

 puncture they make, called puckeridge, is often attributed to the 

 bite of the goat-sucker. In order to accomplish the destruction 

 of the larvas thus deposited, some recommend the parts to be 

 pressed, and afterwards well rubbed with a little oil of turpen- 

 tine, or some other stimulating application, or the injection of a 

 little oil of turpentine into each hole. 



The following is the usual remedy for cattle biiten by these 

 insects : 



