200 



TABANIDJE, OR GAD-FLIES. BOMBYLIID^E. 



FIG. 426 TABANUS Bovmus. 



The perfect Insect escapes from the pupa-state by means of a 

 slit along the back. To this group belongs the family TABANID.E, 



or Gad-fly tribe; which com- 

 prises some of the largest Di- 

 pterous insects, and which is 

 pre-eminently distinguished for 

 the tormenting powers which 

 different species possess. They 

 pierce the skins and suck the 

 blood of various Quadrupeds, 

 both wild and domesticated ; 

 and do not spare Man himself. They chiefly abound in woods 

 and pastures ; and the buzzing noise which they make, has 

 obtained for them the designation of " the breeze." The insect 

 of which Bruce has spoken, in his Travels in Africa, under the 

 name of Zimb, is probably a species of this family. He describes 

 it as attacking cattle in so dreadful a manner, that, unless imme- 

 diately driven to the sands, they forsake their food, and run 

 wildly about the plains, dreading even its very sound, until they 

 die, worn out with fatigue, fright, and hunger. The Camel, and 

 even the thick-skinned Elephant and Rhinoceros, are said to be 

 subject to this enemy. 



730. The family BOMBYLIID^ are distinguished by their 

 very long proboscis, with which they suck the nectar from 

 flowers. They fly with great 

 rapidity, and hover over 

 flowers without settling ; 

 making at the same time a 

 loud buzzing noise with their 

 wings. Some of them have 

 a remarkably Bee-like form. 

 The family ANTHRACID^E, 

 which is nearly related to 

 the preceding, is chiefly 

 composed of exotic species, 

 which are generally large or 

 of moderate size, often covered with hair, and beautifully coloured. 

 They fly in the sunshine with great agility ; and subsist, like 



FIG. 427. BOMBYLIUS. 



