91 



Gen us LXVL TABANUS. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna short, the third articulation with a la- 

 teral tooth. Mouth extended into a fleshy 

 proboscis, terminated by two lips. Rostrum 

 having two awl-shaped palpi on each side, 

 and parallel to the proboscis. 



General Observations, 

 The Tabani are the chief tormentors of horses 

 and cattle ; during the summer they fasten upon 

 their hides, and suck their blood with the great- 

 est avidity. In the woods, in moist meadows, 

 and near watery places, these insects are to be 

 met with in the greatest abundance ; and such 

 is their thirst for blood, that they will follow a 

 horse to a considerable distance, and sometimes 

 even attack a man. When once engaged in 

 their occupation, they may be taken off the hide 

 of the animal without attempting to escape. 

 ; This taste for blood is confined to the female 

 I sex ; the males are perfectly innocent, and are 

 satisfied with the honeyed jui ce, which, by the 



