LAKE SUPERIOR. 41 



pJiryganea^ covered the water in myriads, was 

 wafted along in clouds by the wind, and settled upon 

 the trees and rocks everywhere. Knowing that they 

 changed from a species of worm on rising to the 

 surface, we selected clear, calm spots and endea- 

 vored to examine the process. It was too rapid for 

 human eyesight ; a spot of transparent water would 

 be bare one instant, and the next there would be 

 upon its surface two or or three little creatures danc- 

 ing about and trying their wings preparatory to a 

 bolder flight. We never managed to see the larva, 

 but invariably beheld the perfect fly appear instan- 

 tauQously. 



Their number was incalculable ; living ones filled 

 the air, were blown along like moving sand, were 

 carried into our faces so that we could scarcely face 

 the wind, and settled upon our boat ; dead ones 

 covered the w^ater in all directions, were devoured 

 by the fish, especially the lake herring, and were col- 

 lected by the current in masses resembling sea- 

 weed. They were nearly the color of common 

 brown paper throughout, legs, wings, and body 

 being of much the same hue. They arrive every 

 year at the same time and in about the same num- 

 bers. They last a week or so, and although we 

 found them the entire length of our subsequent trip, 

 their favorite locality seemed to be the Sault. They 

 are used as bait for the lake herring, which I believe 

 is identical with the cisco, an excellent fish closely 

 resembling, and in my opinion equal, if not superior 

 to the white fish. 



