Tlie parts most infested are those which are the most tender, and 
also those from which the animal has itself the most difficulty in 
removing the plague. Beneath the tail is the locality that is especially 
attacked; also the inner parts of the thighs, and, speaking more gene¬ 
rally, the abdomen, flanks, and also the upper part of the fore legs 
near the body. 
The following observations on method of attack, symptoms of its 
presence, and method of removal of the fly, are a portion of some notes 
placed in my hands by the courtesy of Mr. Thomas B. Goodall, 
F.B.C.V.S., Christchurch, Hants, omitting some points of technical 
detail:— 
“ A strange horse is alarmed and frightened because of his inability 
to dislodge the fly, its power of prehension being so great that the 
horse’s tail is powerless to remove it, and it crawls over the body of 
the horse, and does not remain quiescent until it finds a thin part of 
the skin, where in the Forest ponies it may sometimes be seen in 
clusters.When a strange horse has a ‘Forester,’ as the fly is 
called locally, on him, he shows symptoms which at once tell us who 
have experience in the matter what ails him. He has a frightened look, 
lays his ears back, and makes short stamps and kicks with his feet; 
and if the fly is not taken from him he will sometimes sweat profusely, 
kick violently, and even roll. Most strange horses become accustomed 
to it in a few days, but some never do. 
“ I do not think the fly ever goes into a stable of its own accord, 
and if the horse is freed from them before going into the stable he is 
safe from attack until he is taken out again ; and the custom here is 
to search the horse well over, particularly in the fly’s favourite haunts, 
before he is taken into the stable after being in the ‘fly’ district, for 
we never find them away from the Forest, unless they are taken by horses. 
“ There is some danger to one not accustomed to the habits of the 
fly, and also of the horse, in attempting to dislodge the fly. It will 
when disturbed make short flights from one part of the body to another, 
and then run , generally sideways. Strangers will sometimes endeavour 
to knock it off, which is useless, and increases the irritation of the 
horse. The only method is to clap the hand or fingers fatly over the 
fly, and then remove it, and it is killed by pressing the thumb-nail in 
the thorax lengthways.”—(T. B. G.) 
In my own small experience, I have found moistening the fingers 
helped very much in securing the fly, as thus the wings were a little 
clogged, so that they were not at once serviceable again. Sometimes 
the liy may be secured and pinched in the fold of a handkerchief, or 
the following plan might answer:—Have a box, such as a wooden 
pill-box, in the pocket, and on the bottom of this have a little 
cotton-wool fixed, and on the cotton-wool some drops of benzine, and 
the lid fitted firmly on. When the fly is noticed on any accessible 
part, take off the box-lid, and quickly as possibly put box and wool 
over the fly. If this is done dexterously the fly will very shortly be 
stupefied, and if the lid is replaced directly the box is lifted the fumes 
within will last for several captures. 
With regard to methods of prevention, Mr. Goodall wrote me :—“ I 
really know of no specific for preventing attack, though wiping the 
horse over with a paraffin-rag renders him less inviting to the fly; but 
