470 DESTRUCTION OF HORSES BY BEES. 
firm a hold. The cough, which at other times is a mere tem¬ 
porary irritation in the air passages, and which nursing gene¬ 
rally removes, is at the present unwholesome period a 
symptom of considerable danger. It has this year been 
more general in its attack than on any previous occasion of 
its visit to this country; hence the losses sustained have been 
greater than in any season within our remembrance. It 
presents, too, peculiarities hitherto unobserved by the veterinary 
profession , and in frequent instances baffles the skill of the most 
eminent of that body . Our own town has been no exception 
to the rule. Many valuable horses of the cart and other 
breeds have fallen victims to its ravages, and at the present 
time a number of owners of this useful animal are deprived 
of its services, owing to this treacherous affection.— Sheffield 
Times . 
*** Probably some of our friends in the profession in this 
part of the country will favour us with some account of this 
“ insidious,” and “ peculiar,” and " baffling ” disease. — 
Ed. Vet. 
DESTRUCTION OF HORSES BY BEES. 
A most extraordinary incident has just taken place at 
Guilleville, in France. A farmer, who occupied himself 
much in the honey trade, had 250 hives collected in a field. 
Another farmer, regardless of the dangerous neighbours, left 
a waggon load of hay, drawn by five horses, in the field. 
The busy bees “ improved the shining hour” by an attack 
upon the horses. They sallied forth in buzzing masses, and 
speedily killed (how?) one of the horses, and laid the re¬ 
mainder rolling in agony upon the ground. The driver of 
the waggon then came to the rescue, and attempted to drive 
away the bees; but they attacked him, and he had to plunge 
into a pond, and even to place his head under water for a 
few seconds in order to escape from them. The cure of 
Guilleville also attempted to approach, but he too was put to 
flight by the enraged insects. At length two fire-engines 
were sent for, and by pumping on the bees a great number 
were killed on the horses or put to flight. The horses, how¬ 
ever, were so much injured that they died in an hour. The 
value of the bees destoyed was 1500 francs, and of the horses 
2000 francs. A few days before, the bees from the same 
hive killed seventeen goslings.— Bell's Life. 
