104 ON CREEPERS. 



the time when they produce their flies ; they then repair to 

 the shallows and edges of the streams, to fix to some sub- 

 stance preparatory to their hatching. Some leave the water 

 and run up the stems of plants that grow by its side, and 

 fix to the under-sides of leaves, but according to observation, 

 by far the greatest number fasten themselves by the belly 

 and under-parts with some sticky matter peculiar to them, 

 to the under-sides of stones that lay just without the edges 

 of the water, which enables the flies to split open their 

 creeper skins at the shoulders, and unsheath their legs, 

 whisks, and feelers. Numbers of the empty creeper skins 

 may be seen on the under-sides of stones taken up by the 

 hand, just without the edges of the water, and often the 

 new-hatched flies beside them. 



IST. STONE FLY CREEPER. Lengthabout seven-eighths, 

 head, shoulders, body, legs, whisks, and feelers, resembling 

 those of the flies, but more bulky, and the legs are fringed ; 

 ground color of the upper parts, brown, of lighter or darker 

 shade, distinctly lined and marked with dark brown ; belly 

 and under-parts shades of yellow. At the time of hatching 

 they repair to the edges of the water and fasten themselves 

 to the under-sides of stones, where they hatch their flies, 

 and are found by the natural flyfisher ; but soon after they 

 find other places of repose. They are the largest creepers, 

 and produce the largest and master fly of the angler's list. 

 In April they are in perfection, and are found under loose 

 stones that lie hollow in shallow streamy places, and near 

 the edges of the water. Trout roam in search of them. 



2ND. NEEDLE BROWN CREEPER. Shape and size nearly 

 similar to those of the bodies, legs, etc., of the flies. Colors 

 brown, of lighter or darker shade. Is the smallest creeper, 

 and produces the smallest fly of the browns class. Numbers 

 of them may be seen on the under sides of stones, taken up 



