350 THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



two rows of grey spots down the back. Ronalds says it 



runs upon the water and feeds upon small flies, and is one 



of the first insects the trout find there. 



These insects do not swim, and the silky down with 



which their bodies are covered protects them from the 



water. 



The WATER- SCORPION (Nepa cinerea), although generally 

 found in stagnant waters, frequents 

 also our slow-running rivers and mill- 

 heads where mud accumulates. New- 

 man says that the Nepites crawl 

 on aquatic plants, but do not swim. 

 They are all carnivorous and aquatic. 

 The name is derived from the simi- 

 larity of the fore-legs to the nippers 

 of the true scorpion one of the 



THE WATER.SCORP.ON. ^ffeafe. As this insect often 

 uses its wings, it probably may drop 



occasionally on the water. The bright colour of the body 

 and wings would probably attract a hungry trout. 



The FROG-HOPPER (Aphrophora spmnaria ; sub-order, 

 Homoptera ; family Circopidce), known in angling parlance 

 as the Wren-Tail, is often a good lure for trout. There 

 are two or three species, but the above is most common. 

 Colour fuscous ; antennae placed between the eyes ; hind- 

 legs very long, enabling it to take long jumps. It is 

 usually very prevalent in the hot days of June and July. 



THE FROG-HOPPER (A. bifasciata}. 

 i. The Insect. 2. The frothy excretion (cuckoo-spit). 



One of the species (A. bifasciata) is common in our 

 gardens, and its larvae make that frothy excretion often 

 seen on plants, and known as cuckoo-spit. 



