44 INSECTS AFFECTING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
EFFECT OF THE BITES. 
Animals bitten by many buffalo-gnats show all the symptoms of colic, and many 
people believe that these bites bring on that disease. Mules especially are thus 
aftected, yet large numbers of post-mortem examinations made by Dr. Warren King, 
of Vicksburg, and others, failed to show any relationship between this disease and 
the bites, nor were any facts obtained which would justify the correctness of such a 
popular conclusion. Dr. King opines that the effects of these bites on animals are 
much the same as that of the rattlesnake on the human system. This seems to be 
the generally accepted opinion among the more intelligent planters. The animal 
attacked becomes at first frantic, but within a very short time it ceases to show 
symptoms of pain, submits passively to the infliction, rolls over, and dies; sometimes 
all within the space of three or four hours. Even if bitten by a very great number 
of gnats death does not necessarily follow, and then it is not always suddenly fatal. 
Mules which at night do not appear to be seriously injured will often be found dead 
next morning. 
Animals of various kinds become gradually accustomed to these bites, and during 
a long-continued invasion but few are killed toward the end of it. Itisa prevailing 
notion that the bite of the gnats appearing first is the most poison- 
ous. It would seem to be more probable, however, that the poison 
introduced into the systems of animals—unless sufficient to prove 
fatal—may to some extent serve as an antidote against that intro- 
duced later, and if this poison should remain in the system with any 
stability, such a fact would also account for native or acclimated 
stock being less susceptible to the poison from bites than that re- 
cently imported. There is no doubt that stock freshly imported from 
Kentucky to Tennessee and Mississippiis more apt to be killed than 
that raised in the infested portions of these States, and that, having 
withstood one invasion, a second one proves fatal but seldom. One 
reason why buffalo-gnats appearing very early in the season are more 
dangerous may be found in the fact that the stock, weakened by 
exposure during the winter, have had as yet no chance to gain in 
strength by feeding upon the early vegetation, which it obtains pre- 
vious to and during a later invasion. Consequently, the resisting 
power of animals is greater later in the season. Experience has also 
taught owners of stock how to protect the same, and in comparison 
with former gnat seasons fewer animals are killed of late. Prof. J. 
Fie. 9.—Simulium A Schénbauer, who wrote nearly one hundred years ago about the 
pecuarum: larva Kojumbacz gnats of Hungary, witnessed the post-mortem examina- 
ey hen tion of a horse killed by these gnats. Upon dissection it was found 
Department ag that not only was the anus entirely filled with the flies, but also the 
riculture, 1886). genital orifices, the nasal passages, and the bronchial tube and its 
ramifications. A case of this kind must be very exceptional. No 
doubt gnats will sometimes enter these passages, but as a rule death is not occasioned 
in this manner. The loss of blood and the terrible irritation of the skin by so many 
poisonous bites are reasons sufficient to account for the reflex irritation of the nerves 
and blood poisoning. 
LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS. 
The larva is not different in general appearance from that of other 
species and the general characters have already been stated. 
The annexed cut (fig. 9) shows it considerably enlarged and will make 
a detailed description unnecessary. It is translucent when living; the 
