100 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [parti. 



lived thus five or six days, and thrived, and changed 

 the colour two or three times ; but, by some neglect 

 in the keeper of it, it then died and did not turn to a 

 fly : but if it had lived, it had doubtless turned to one 

 of those flies that some call Flies-of-prey, which those 

 that walk by the rivers may, in summer, see fasten 

 on smaller flies, and, I think, make them their food. 

 And 'tis observable, that as there be these flies-of- 

 prey which be very large, so there be others, very lit- 

 tle, created, I think, only to feed them, and breed out 

 of I know not what : whose life, they say, Nature 

 intended not to exceed an hour ; and yet that life is 

 thus made shorter by other flies, or accident. 



Tis endless to tell you what the curious search- 

 ers into Nature's productions have observed of these 

 worms and flies : but yet I shall tell you what Al- 

 drovandus, our Topsel, and others, say of the Palmer- 

 worm or Caterpillar : that whereas others content 

 themselves to feed on particular herbs or leaves, — 

 for most think those very leaves that gave them 

 life and shape, give them a particular feeding and 

 nourishment, and that upon them they usually 

 abide; — yet he observes, that this is called a Pil- 

 grim or Palmer-worm, for his very wandering life 

 and various food ; not contenting himself, as other 

 do, with any one certain place for his abode, nor 

 any certain kind of herb or flower for his feeding ; 

 but will boldly and disorderly wander up and down, 

 and not endure to be kept to a diet, or fixed to a 

 particular place. 



