PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 119 



build their hills to a considerable size of small twigs, 

 leaf stems, etc. In sultry weather these little creatures 

 will migrate to the nearest water to indulge in a cooling 

 bath, and, when this happens to be a trout stream, both 

 fijh and fishermen experience lively times. Their eggs 

 are much sought after for angling purposes, being excel- 

 lent bait for almost every description of fresh-water 

 fish, when prepared and used similar to trout and sal- 

 mon roe. 



The Gray and Black Gnats, and, indeed, the whole 

 fraternity of "smuts," arise from the soil of sheltered 

 meadow banks ; they are most obnoxious to the fly-fisher 

 when out in any quantity. 



Year after year, and century after century, a curious 

 and interesting equilibrium is maintained by nature, 

 with but few deviations, in regard to insect life in this 

 temperate clime. Whil&t various members of the beetle, 

 ant, and other orders increase, at intervals, to a really 

 alarming extent in more southern latitudes, in this coun- 

 try a truly marvellous balance of insect existence is pre- 

 served by the restraining action of counter influences on 

 the enormous procreative powers with which they are 

 invested. When myriads of flies are observed depositing 

 their eggs literally by millions, upon water or land, we 

 are led to investigate the reason why their material in- 

 crease is seldom rendered notable, and we find that the 

 mass simply go to feed other creatures, whose sole mission 

 would appear to be to counteract, regulate, and hold in 

 check their kindred species. All insects of the smaller 

 kind, inhabiting the earth or water, feed upon the ova of 

 the different orders of winged insects, the pupae of which 

 retaliate in turn by preying continuously upon the mi- 

 nute insects, the enemies of their previous existence. Thus 

 by a wonderful scheme of Providence, the perfect chain 

 of animated nature and organized creation is accurately 

 preserved. 



