88 BITING FLIES IN BRITISH EAST AFRICA 
several other genera with comparatively few and mostly un- 
common species. 
The genus Tabanus consists of a large number of species 
of, for the most part, stoutly built flies, many of them being of 
large size. Usually known in England as 4 Gadflies ’ or ‘ Horse- 
flies/ they are often called in Africa 4 Hippo flies/ 4 Mangrove 
flies/ or on the Nile ‘ Serut.’ The following local native 
names appear to be correct so far as I have been able to ascer- 
tain. The Wakamba call the larger species ‘ Njoo/ the smaller 
‘ Madzunzuma/ the Wakikuyu 4 Igi, Ngikuvwa or Zigayi * 
(the latter name being sometimes also applied to Haematopota, 
the next genus), the Nandi ‘ Kiptololet/ the Jaluo Kavirondo 
‘ Maugo/ the Jamwa Kavirondo 4 Ruuko/ but these two 
last names are probably applied to all biting flies. The flies 
of the genus Tabanus are characterised by the possession of 
rather stout antennae, the second joint being very short and 
the third or tip being from a lateral view somewhat scimitar- 
shaped. The proboscis is short, stout, and directed vertically 
downwards so that it cannot be seen from above. Except in 
a few species such as the red and green T. africanus and its 
allies, the spotted-winged T. maculatissimus, and the big black 
T. biguttatus, these flies seldom have defined dark markings 
in their wings though the whole wing is sometimes infuscated. 
The wings are carried when the insect is at rest much as in the 
house-fly. 
The genus Haematopota is represented in Africa by a very 
large number of species. The flies of this genus are compara- 
tively fragile insects, with a more slender body and longer and 
thinner antennae than in Tabanus , the proboscis, however, 
being directed downwards as in that genus. The wings are 
mottled and spotted and have dark margins. When the fly 
is at rest the wings are said to be tectiform because the angle 
they make with each other resembles that of the ridge of a 
roof. The Wakikuyu call them 4 Mbogo or Zigayi,’ and the 
Nandi 4 Sogoriet.’ The majority of native tribes do not seem 
to have a distinct name for them but class them with Tabanus 
or other biting flies. 
The next two genera, Pangonia and Chrysops, are placed in a 
separate sub-family of the Tabanidae called Pangoninae. They 
