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Abstract

A few notes on the introduction of what I am led to
believe to be a new grub or fly to Tasmania, may be of some
use to the Fellows of the Royal Society. The above insect, I
find, is not of any recent date, but is spoken of by a learned
physician, Alexander Trallien, in the year 560. They are
well-known in Europe, and have been met with at times in
the Australian colonies.
On examination, and referring to some works on
the disease of sheep, I find it to be the Oestrus ovis, or Gadfly
of the sheep, belonging to the Diptera order, so named from
its larvae inhabiting the nostrils or frontal sinuses of sheep
in particular,
The larvae or grub is composed of 10 or
11 rings; when young it is perfectly white, with the exception
of two small brown patches by the side of each other at
its tail. At some time between the middle of July these
larvae have attained their full growth and seek to
escape from their prison. While this is taking place great
annoyance is caused to the sheep, continually stamping their
feet and sneezing violently.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Morton, Alexander
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.
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