50 MAY-FLY MISERIES. 



so great a genius, or is so conversant in the art of writing, as 

 to be able to describe with a due sense the trouble and mis- 

 fortunes to which this creature is subject during the short 

 continuance of its flying life. For iny part, I confess, I am 

 by no means able to execute the task ; nor do I know whether 

 Nature ever produced a more innocent and simple little 

 creature, which is, nevertheless, destined to undergo so many 

 miseries and horrible changes. An infinite number are 

 destroyed in their birth (that is final transformation) by fish. 

 Clutius acquits no species of fish of this cruelty except perch 

 and pike. On land, when engaged in the work of changing 

 their skins, they are barbarously devoured by swallows and 

 other birds. Escaped this peril, when they approach for a 

 second time the surface of the water to sport and play, they 

 are again likely to fall a prey to fish which drag to the dark 

 bottom and devour them. If, again (instead of skimming, 

 dipping rather near the surface of the water) they take a higher 

 flight, birds often tear them to pieces and devour them. Thus, 

 though most innocent, no wild beasts can be pursued with 

 greater cruelty/' The conscience of the fly-fisher will suggest 

 another misery more acute, perhaps, and prolonged than either 

 of the above, added by his own hands to the catalogue of 

 the poor may-flies' sad calamities. 



On looking, however, a little more closely into the history of 

 our persecuted insect, we shall find that the above, though a 

 picture perfectly true of the apparent ills which Ephemeral flesh 



