$ TREATISE ON FLY-FISHING. 



gunnel of his boat, where they continue tranquil 

 and expecting his orders with patience. When 

 arrived at the proper place, at the first signal 

 given, each flies a different way to fulfil the task 

 assigned it. It is very pleasant on this occasion, 

 to behold with what sagacity they portion out the 

 lake or the canal where they are upon duty. 

 They hunt about, they plunge, they rise a hundred 

 times to the surface, until they have at last found 

 their prey. They then seize it with their beak 

 by the middle, and carry it without fail to their 

 master. When the fish is too large, they then 

 give each other mutual assistance ; one seizes it 

 by the head, the other by the tail, and in this 

 manner carry it to the boat together. There, the 

 boatman stretches out one of his long oars, on 

 which they perch, and being delivered of their 

 burden they then fly off to pursue their sport. 

 When they are wearied he lets them rest for a 

 while : but they are never fed till their work is 

 oyer. In this manner they supply a very plentiful 



