ox WARBLE FLY. 
99 
blame, for those alluded to have not had time to get the information 
as yet) a great part of the old ignorance and superstition remaining 
amongst those who have the immediate charge of the cattle as to the 
cause and effect of the warbles. 
So long as there are ideras abroad that warbles are caused by the 
fresh grass, or that they are humours of the blood, or that, on the 
other side, they show a healthy state of the beast, or cause it, because 
“ boils are healthy,” so long shall we have half-hearted help or none 
at all from those in whose hands, literally speaking, the cattle are 
placed, and as a matter of course, and as may be seen any day at 
cattle-fairs, those who bring the infested cattle will vouch for the state 
of hide being rather advantageous than otherwise, and so spread the 
false theory and practice together. 
In this class there is an utter carelessness what happens unless 
the beast dies, or, if it does die from mortification or other causes 
connected with the diseased state of the hide, even this is often 
ascribed to other causes, and till they are got to understand we must 
suffer. If, instead of merely looking at the outside of the hide with a 
minute puncture showing here and there, but otherwise with little 
sign of disease noticeable, the inside could be exhibited just as it is 
when newly flayed from an infested beast, a very different idea would 
be given. None who saw the great lumps, with the maggot an inch 
long, lying and sometimes moving in each, with the shape showing 
through the thin film to which their own suction and the ulceration 
caused by it had worn the flesh-side of the hide, the putrid holes 
where the maggots had burst out in flaying, and in some cases the 
state of inflammation of this inner surface, could for one instant 
consider the attack beneficial. , 
It has been advanced lately that it is the best hides that are 
attacked by the Warble Fly. Whether this is so or not, it is not in 
my power to say, as the opinion is not universal; but even if it is so, 
it appears to be no reason why part of the best hides should be 
rendered useless. 
The point of the attack, however, which all can see, and which all 
concerned look on with unbounded annoyance, is the summer attack 
of Warble Flies to the cattle in the pastures. Then the loss of flesh 
on fatting beasts, the loss and injury to quality of milk of the cows, 
and likewise damage to health in various ways from the animals 
tearing about as fast as they can go, is a real grievance ; and it is this 
which first of all may be lessened or altogether checked by destroying 
the maggots in the earlier part of the season. 
A great advance has been made in practical application of know¬ 
ledge lately gained, and in some places where owners have been at the 
pains to give their herdsmen the requisite information, nothing could 
