58 
which turn the contrary way being supposed incurable, are im¬ 
mediately killed. The recovery of the former is thought to be 
promoted by cutting their ears, so as to cause a great discharge of 
blood. 
“ The Kurbma or ulceration caused by the Gadfly takes place 
every spring, especially in the younger fawns. Such as are 
brought forth in the summer season are free from this misfortune 
in the ensuing spring ; but in the following one many of them 
lose their lives by it. When come to their full size and strength, 
the consequences are less fatal: but no rhein-deer is entirely ex¬ 
empt from the attacks of this pernicious insect. 
“ Such of the male rhein-deer as are destined to serve for a 
stock of provision are killed before the rutting time, and their 
carcasses hung up, exposed to the air and frost before flaying. 
The flesh is smoked, and a little salted, and then laid upon 
sledges to dry in the sun, that it may keep through the winter 
till spring. About the feast of St. Mathias (Feb. 24) the rhein- 
deer begin to be so incommoded by the Gadfly, that they are not 
in a fit condition to be slain for eating. From that period there¬ 
fore, till the milking season, the Laplanders are obliged to live 
on their stock of preserved meat. At other seasons of the year 
the females are killed for immediate use, according as they are 
wanted.” Vol. II. p. 42. 
Other particulars are also given in these volumes, but as they 
were derived from the mistaken information of these untutored 
people, I forbear their insertion; and Linnaeus himself had 
omitted them in those communications quoted at the beginning 
of this account, probably from suspecting their correctness. 
At fig. 12 is seen a sketch of this interesting animal; 13 and 
14 views of the Oestrus. 
Linnaeus has remarked, that the Buphaga Africana draws forth 
these larvae from the backs of the oxen. Syst. Nat. I. p. 154. 
And in the Amsenitates Academicse is found also a repetition of the 
