TBICHOPTEEA. 



CHAPTER I. 



There has been much discussion respecting the insects which 

 now come before our notice, some entomologists thinking that 

 they ought to belong to the Neuroptera, but the majority 

 deciding that they really form an order of their own, which 

 has been called by the name of Tiuchopteea, on account of the 

 structure of t^e wings. They are popularly known as Caddis- 

 flies, sometimes abbreviated into ' Cads,' Straw-worms, Pipers, 

 Cockspurs, Cod-baits, Grannums, &c. ; and, both in the perfect 

 and larval conditions, are very familiar to anglers. 



In this order the wings are four in number, the first pair 

 generally covered profusely with hair, and the second pair 

 large, and folded when at rest. The tibiae are furnished 

 with long spurs, in some species running to a wonderful length 

 ir^ the second and third pair of legs. The mouth, like that of 

 the May-fly, is quite undeveloped, so that when the insects 

 have attained their perfect state they can take no nourish- 

 ment. 



The larva is aquatic, and furnished with six feet. It lives 

 in cases more or less cylindrical, constructed by itself from 

 various materials, such as leaves, sticks, bits of grass, stones, 

 sand, shells, and even the opercula of water-snails. I have 

 taken within the distance of a few yards several cases thus 

 constructed ; and I once took a case, the principal portion of 

 which was a chrysalis of a moth — I believe the common 

 Hop-dog — which had fallen into the water. The larva retains 

 its position by means of two hooked appendages at the end of 

 the tail. 



Having now glanced at the leadino' cliaracteristics of the 



