TABANUS. 
387 
skin with the lancets of its trunk, and sucking the 
blood in such a manner as to cause considerable 
pain. It proceeds from a large, dusky-yellowish 
larva, nearly resembling that of a Tipula, and 
marked by transverse blackish streaks or rings: 
' it resides under ground in moist meadows &c. and 
changes to a cylindric, brownish chrysalis, with a 
roundish or very slightly pointed extremity; out 
of which, in the space of a month, proceeds the 
perfect insect. 
Tahanus tropicus is of smaller size than the 
preceding, and of a brown colour, with the sides 
of the abdomen bright ferruginous. It is a less 
common species than the former. 
Tahanus plitoiaUs is of the size of a window fly, 
but of a somewhat' longer shape in proportion: it 
is of a dull brown colour, with the wings of a si- 
milar cast, but marbled or variegated with very 
numerous whitish specks: this is^a very trouble- 
some insect during the latter part of summer, 
fastening on the legs, hands, &c. and causing 
considerable pain by the puncture of its proboscis: 
it is observed to be peculiarly teasing on the ap- 
proach of rain. 
Tahanus ccecutiens is an insect of singular 
beauty. It is of the size of a common window 
fly, and of a yellowish brown colour varied with 
black; the wings are transparent, and marked by 
large black bands or patches, and the eyes are of 
the most vivid or lucid green, marbled with black 
spots and streaks. It is by no means uncommon 
during the autumnal season. 
