53 s 
THE HORSE; IXt. 
Genus IV. — Tabanus. The Horfe Fly , or Flogg. 
The infect? of this genus are the great tormentors of 
horfes and black cattle ; their probofcis is ftiaped like a 
fling ; and with it this fly fucks out the blood of larger 
animals, which is its favourite food. Notwithflanding 
its diminutive frze, and apparent infignificancy, it engages 
with the bull, and at once enjoys the honours and the 
fruits of victory ; For in fpite of all his efforts, it gluts 
itfelf with his blood. Cattle, either when intended for 
fattening or for milk, are greatly harraifed and injured by 
fhefe infefcs in the hot months ; and whoever would pre- 
vent their mifchief, would certainly be entitled to thofe 
honours and rewards that are due to the difeoverers of 
ufeful improvements in rural economy. 
Tabanus lovinus , the ox fly. In this fpecies the head 
is grey ; but the eyes, which occupy the greater part of 
it, are brown. The thorax is of a grey colour, and the 
abdomen yellow. 
Tabanus niger, the dark brown. This fpecies varies 
confiderably in colour j fome defcribe it as approaching to 
black ; others grey *, and fome dark brown. The 
wings are grey ; the feet brown ; and the fegments of the 
abdomen are black, with a clay coloured edging upon 
each. This infect is a great tormentor of the rein deer 
in Lapland f. 
* Fauna Sweclca, Ord VI. Gen. vii. 
f Regno Aramaic, p, 198. 
