^^ THE HORSE FLl". 



Genus IV. — Tahanus. lie Uorfe Fly, or Flogg^ 



1 HE rafects of th'fs genus are the great tormentors of 

 horfes and black, cattle ; their probords is fhaped like a 

 lling J and with it this fly fucks out the blood of larger 

 ani:nals, which is its favourite food. Notwithllanding 

 its diminutive fize, and apparent infignificancy, it engages 

 with the bull, and at once enjoys the honours and the 

 fruits ef victory : For in fpite of all his efTorts, it gluts 

 kfelf with his blood. C;ittle, either when intended for 

 fattening or for milk, are greatly harralTed and injured by 

 thefe infe£ls in the hot months j and whoever would pre- 

 vent their mifchief, would certainly be entitled to thofe 

 honours and rewards that are due to the dilcoverers of 

 ufeful improvements in rural economy. 



Tahtinus bovifvas, the ox fly. In this fpccies the head 

 is grey ; but the eyes, which occupy the greater part of 

 it, are brov^'n. The thorax is of a grey colour, and the 

 abdomen yellow. 



Tabcifitis niger, the dark brown. This fpecies varies 

 confiderably in colour ; fome defcribe it as approaching to 

 black ; others grey *, and fome dark brown. The 

 wings are grey ; the feet brown j and the fegments of the 

 abdomen are black, with a clay coloured edging upon 

 each. This infecl is a great tormentor of the rein deer 

 in Lapland]-, 



* Fauna Swsclc^j Ord. VI. Gsn. vi:, | Rcgnc Ar.biab, ?. I(>8» 



