76 THE CANADIAN HORSE 



being " barrel-shaped, witb a thick annular skin, beset with 

 spines around the joints ;" cestrus hemorrhoidalis, vpith wings 

 not spotted, but otherwise resembling the former ; oestrus 

 veterinus and ce. salutiferus. These, however, may be 

 looked upon for all practical purposes as one and the same, 

 though distinguished by the characteristics of the bot, and 

 its choice of location. 



During the summer months a large fly may be seen busily 

 darting about the horse's legs and belly, to his no small dis- 

 comfort, causing him in harness to stamp his feet and switch 

 his tail, and in pasture to gallop about in apparent terror, to 

 escape his tormentor. This is the common gadfly. The 

 female hovers around her victim, and now and then darts 

 down and deposits her eggs on his legs and sides, such 

 places as he can reach at with his teeth. These eggs are 

 covered in a case of gluten, and may be seen in great 

 numbers adhering to the hairs as little yellowish neats. The 

 animal, on licking the parts, bursts the covering, and the 

 larvffi adhering to the lips or tongue are carried into the 

 stomach, and there adhere to the coats of the organ by 

 means of two little hooks, between which is placed the 

 mouth, and here they are anchored, as it were, floating on 

 the contents of the stomach, and living on the gastric and 

 mucous secretions, until they become thoroughly matured, 

 and in spring loosen their hold, and pass off in the dung ; 

 they remain in the chrysalis state for a time, then burst their 

 covering, and throw off the chrysalis, and assume the parent 

 form. 



Great diversity of opinion exists as to whether the bots 

 do any harm or not, some even asserting that they assist 

 digestion, and are therefore beneficial. In this country 

 there is no doubt but in many cases they produce consider- 

 able mischief, but not nearly so often as they are said to do. 



