116 
WARBLE FLY. 
the fine canal running downwards from them or from the surface, as 
the case may he, to the young warble cell beneath the hide, I think we 
shall find the egg is fixed just beneath the cuticle , and that the young 
maggot works its way through the hide to where we find it in its early 
stage. It does not seem to me possible that the Fly could pass the egg 
through the hide by means of her egg-laying apparatus (or ovipositor), 
because, as observed, the passage down to the maggot-cell is some¬ 
times of a shape that could not have been caused by the ovipositor. 
This matter is by no means of mere scientific interest, for the fact 
of the egg lying just below the uppermost film of skin (or cuticle), 
and the maggot leaving an open channel behind it, whereby poisonous 
washings or dressings will reach it, or may choke up its breathing 
apparatus, is very important practically. 
In the earliest stage in which I have as yet had specimens of the 
maggot I found the openings of the breathing apparatus varied from 
the adult form. 
First observation of open Warble swelling. 
The first note of appearance of the open warble was sent to me on 
Jan. 27tli of this year from Wigton, Cumberland, by Mr. John Dalton, 
to whom I have especially to offer my thanks for his continuous 
observations from the end of August in 1884, which have clearly 
shown the serviceable fact that up to the date above given the warble 
was not noticeable, for practical purposes, in open condition. 
On Jan. 27tli Mr. Dalton wrote :—“ I have to-day noticed, for the 
first time this season, the appearance of the young warbles. I found 
them in two different hides, both off young cattle of from one to two 
years old. .... The round hole in the hide is distinctly visible. ” —John 
Dalton, Wigton, Cumberland. 
The first general observation of the appearance of the warble as a 
swelling, or in open condition, began at the middle of February. On 
Feb. 14th Mr. E. E. McBride wrote from Glendonagli, Midleton, Co. 
Cork, that “ the lumps were increasing in number and size on his 
cattle ” ; and on the same day Mr. Byrd, Spurstow Hall, Tarporley, 
Cheshire, after examination of the swellings on the cattle, mentioned 
that “ some appeared to be soft lumps resembling a soft gathering 
coming to a head.” 
On Feb. 18th Messrs. Hatton, of Hereford, mentioned that they had 
received an ox-liide with many warbles in it, specimens of the maggots 
from which were forwarded ;* and on the previous day they had 
informed me that notice had already been given that hides on 
Birmingham Market would be sorted for warbles, and those having 
more than three would be out-classed. 
* Tlie cost of this hide was 29s., whereas the value of the same weight of hide 
free from warbles would have been 35s. 5d. 
