Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

In the early part of the summer an incredible number of black gnats made their appearance in the Mississippi Bottoms, and attacked not only cattle and horses, but also birds, wild turkeys, deer, and other game, with such ferocity as to kill in a short time quite a number of animals. After the disappearance of the gnats, a disease broke out among the cattle, horses and hogs, and has been raging for some time, and is still prevailing. The losses have been very great. One planter lost over two hundred hogs and seven horses and mules, besides oxen and milch cows. Another has lost thirteen mules and horses, and hogs and cattle in proportion. This are but instances.