132 INSECTS AFFECTING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
It is evident that in the primitive conditions of nature, or in locali- 
ties where people are indifferent to the exposure of the carcasses of 
dead animals, these creatures may perform an important function, dis- 
posing of carcasses in a short time which otherwise would contaminate 
the atmosphere for many days. 
When infesting the storehouse, however, or attacking the wounds 
of domestic animals, the case is very different and the insect requires 
prompt subjection. 
For stock it is important to prevent, as far as possible, the occurrence 
of cuts, bruises, or wounds of any kind which may furnish an attraction 
for the flies, and to guard against.injury from barbed-wire fences or the 
horns of cattle. Wounds when formed should be dressed with dilute 
carbolic acid and coated with tar to prevent deposition of eggs, whileif 
already infested with the larve the wounds should be carefully cleaned, 
washed out with the carbolie acid solution and dressed with tar to pre- 
vent further egg deposition. 
Probably the most common American species is S. sarracenie Riley. 
THE STABLE ELY. 
(Stomoxys calcitrans Linn. ) 
This well-known species is widely distributed and a familiar pest in 
many countries. It was described by Linneeus in 1761 (Syst. Nat., 2, 
1004) and has been mentioned in numerous works since then, Geoffroy, 
DeGeer, Fabricius, and many others noticing it, and it is unnecessary 
to go into detail with regard to its bibliography here. 
Its bite is severe and it causes a great amount of annoyance to 
cattle, horses, and other domestic animals, and it is frequently very 
troublesome to people working in places where it abounds. It is 
not confined to stables or the quarters of domestic animals, but occurs 
frequently in shady places, groves, and in dwellings, especially in 
cloudy weather, and puts the occupants to great inconvenience. Its 
bite is not poisonous, and aside from the pain given and the possibility 
of it disseminating disease, it is less injurious than some other mem- 
bers of the group. When abundant, however, this annoyance may be 
very great, and they all deserve attention. Indeed, it is especially 
charged against this species that they have been the means of trans- 
mitting glanders from diseased to healthy horses and anthrax among 
cattle, a charge which appears very reasonable from the fact that it 
inflicts a deep bite and does not gorge itself at a single animal, but 
may fly from one to another in securing a meal. 
It does not appear that the life history of this species has been fully 
recorded, although it has been stated that the stages are probably passed 
indung. In connection with the studies of the horn-fly by the Division 
of Entomology this species was reared with others from horse manure, 
aud it may be considered as established that the eggs are laid in dung 
and the larval stages passed there, requiring greater or less time for 
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