PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 109 



tuberances, which ultimately develop into wings. When 

 in the larva and pupa states the insect is excessively 

 voracious ; like the small clothes-moth it feeds, not when 

 fully developed, but when "swathed" up in its tough 

 pliable case. The larvae of both moth <ind fly devour 

 many times their own weight in a single week, and this 

 is the case with all water-flies, whether Ephemeridm or 

 Phryganeidm (Up-winged or Flat-winged), which feed only 

 when in the larva and pupa state, absorbing sufficient 

 nutriment to sustain them during the short and final 

 stages of their life. They afterwards appear in their 

 new sphere, first as Duns, secondly, as perfect imagos or 

 insects. 



As the eggs of the Ephemeridce had been deposited in 

 May, in the following February, whenever the state of 

 the water permitted, the first flies emerged from the'ir 

 pupa case, rose to the top of the water, and bursting yet 

 another shell-like skin, unfolded their now perfect wings, 

 and appeared as early Blue Duns. A little more genial 

 weather, and the Cockwing and the Olive, from which 

 the fly takes its name, were predominant, the lighter 

 shades appearing as the nymphae gradually attained ma- 

 turity, up to mid-summer. April saw the first instalment 

 of Iron Blue, March or Spring Browns also appeared, 

 both being of a lighter shade, and the latter a little 

 smaller in dimensions, after the lapse of a few weeks. 

 Up to July the color of the Duns ranged in the precise 

 ratio we have given, by which time the whole of the 

 nymphae had attained maturity, with the exception of a 

 few of the Browns, which rose in August, smaller still 

 in size. To have the whole season's supply of the Ephe- , 

 meridcB it is necessary to take Spinners about May, and 

 again in August. The latter produce first the delicate 

 tints, ending with the lead-blue shades that are seen in 

 November. 



Such casts as are called the Apple-green, Orange, and 



