PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 117 



existing influences and their general bearings on the 

 occasion, and thus to adapt themselves to meet circum- 

 stances which would otherwise prove detrimental to 

 sport. The real essence of the art lies in deceiving the 

 fish by a correct copy of any fly that may be at any time 

 absorbing their attention.* 



We have yet briefly to mention the casual killers 

 amongst the numerous tribes of land insects, which may 

 be summed up as follows: Oow-dung-fly, Small Beetles 

 (Marlow Buzz, or Coch-y-bondu), Oak fly, Blue Bottle, 

 Wren-tail, the Ants, and Gray and Black Gnats, f These 

 flies pass their pupa stage in the earth, either in thickly 

 wooded, or meadow land; they, therefore, do not habit- 

 ually frequent the water, but are driven upon it by 

 rough weather. 



The Cow-dung-fly we have fully commented upon 

 elsewhere in "Notes on the Months." The term Small 

 Beetles, includes the lady-cow and ear- wig, as well as the 

 small members of the beetle tribe proper, which are 

 prevalent more or less throughout the season. The arti- 

 ficial is a simple hackled fly (elsewhere described) which 

 effectually represents the numerous members of the 

 above varieties. 



The Oak-fly, or Down-looker, usually accompanies the 

 Green Drake. There 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 alighting 

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



* Anglers, both American and English, differ widely on this subject. 

 I have, on many occasions, filled my creel with fine trout using a black 

 hackle, when a dark bug could not be seen during the entire day, over 

 or on the water. This is not an exceptional occurrence. 



t The Cow-dung and Coch-y-bondu are killing black bass flies. The 

 gray and black gnats and ants will be familiar to our old anglers. 



