136 PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 



the Green Drake. This is another fly that is commonly 

 used in its natural state, particularly upon thickly- 

 wooded streams ; it is often seen upon the trunks of 

 trees, etc., upon which it invariably rests with its head 

 downwards, instantly assuming that position if alight- 

 ing in any other. In cold or inclement weather, it 

 secretes itself amongst the roots of luxuriant grass or 

 thick moss, until more genial weather prevails. The 

 fly is perfectly flat-winged, and in attitude resembles 

 the house and wood flies. These three flies are, 

 perhaps, the most commonly known of any British 

 insects. 



The Wood fly resembles the domestic house fly in 

 all particulars except size, it being a trifle larger, and 

 is especially numerous in the vicinity of cattle, to 

 which it is very obnoxious, especially in wooded 

 districts. In cold weather, in the fall of the year, the 

 whole tribe of wood and house flies become 

 blind, when they are swept upon the water in great 

 quantities, to be picked off by both trout and gray- 

 ling, especially the latter. The Grey Palmer efficiently 

 represents these drowning insects, when vainly flutter- 

 ing to extricate themselves from the foreign element. 



The Blue Bottle is most in request for live fly-fishing 

 in July and August. It is sometimes cast along with 

 the grey palmer, and renders good account of its 

 attractive powers, but cannot be said to be infallible. 

 The Wren-tail, or Frog-hopper, forms one of the many 

 varieties of winged insects numerous in July. In 

 common with the small blacks, it braves the heat of 

 the noonday sun. The latter fortunately differ very 



