THE SYSTEM OF ARTIFICIAL FLIES. 19 



tail. These whisks are not only very " fly-like" and 

 distinctive features, but are also easily imitated, 

 and assist materially to disguise the hook, as well 

 as to make the fly swim straight. This last is an 

 important point, as the effect of the extra weight 

 at the bend of the hook, unless counteracted by 

 some additional " float," is to make the fly swim 

 tail downwards. 



The great majority of the most favourite river 

 flies belong to the order Neuroptera> or nerve- 

 winged insects, the wings of which, being filmy 

 and transparent, cannot be really imitated by 

 feathers or by any otJier available material. Wings 

 are therefore merely an encumbrance to the 

 artificial Trout-fly, and should be entirely re- 

 jected. 



The next point is Colour. On examining the 

 fresh caught ephemeridcz and phryganidcz (for those 

 in entomologists' collections are generally faded) it 

 will be found, in the first place, that there is almost 

 always a general similarity in colour, though not 

 in the exact tint, between the wings and the bodies 

 and legs, and that the colours which predominate 

 indeed almost monopolize are greens, yellows, 

 and browns. Our typical flies should evidently, 

 therefore, be of these colours. 



