EXPLANATION OF PLATE, NO. 1. NATURAL FLIES. 



IN this plate the examiner will see six representations, 

 taken from life, of insects used in fly-fishing. 



No. 1. The May-fly or Green-drake (ephemera vulgata), 

 stands at the head of its tribe. The ephemerae, are extremely 

 numerous, of various sizes and colours, appearing particularly 

 in the summerand autumn months. Their wings stand upright, 

 and they have whisks or tail s. Of all flies these are the most useful 

 to the angler. As their name implies, they are very short lived, 

 but fresh tribes of them replace those which die in a day. 



No. 2. Is the Stone-fly, and the largest of its tribe (phry- 

 ganece). They are considered spring-flies, but they are pro- 

 duced throughout the year. Generally speaking they have 

 flat wings, but that is not a specific characteristic, because 

 the house-fly (mused) and other flies have flat wings also. 

 The flies of this species proceed from water larvae, and in 

 angling importance stand next to the ephemera?. 



No. 3. Is the March-brown, or large dun ephemera. It is 

 nearly as large as the May- fly, or ephemera vulgata; and in 

 March and April is as great a favourite with trout, as the 

 May-fly is in May or June. It is a fly I esteem very highly. 



No. 4. Is a representation of a diptera, or two-winged fly. 

 These flies are generally small, and have two upright wings. 

 In shape and colour they much resemble the ephemerce, and as 

 baits they are equally captivating. 



No. 5. Is the Ant-fly (formica). It is a late summer and 

 early autumn fly. Its body resembles that of an ant. Hence 

 its name. It is not a water-born fly, but a land-bred one. Its 

 wings are transparent and feeble, and the slightest breeze 

 wafts it on to the surface of rivers. Grayling take it eagerly, 

 and so do roach and dace. 



No. 6. Is a dark palmer, or representation of a dark cater- 

 pillar, with light yellow circular bands round the body. 

 Walton properly observes, " this is called a pilgrim, or palmer- 

 worm, for his very wandering life and various food ; not con- 

 tenting himself, as others do, with any one certain place for 

 his abode, nor any certain kind of herb or flower for his 

 feeding; but will boldly and disorderly wander up and down, 

 and not endure to be kept to a diet, or fixed to a particular 

 place." As caterpillars are of various sizes and colours, so are 

 their artificial representations. They are good angling baits 

 in the English rivers, but not so good either in Ireland or 

 Scotland. Chub take them with great avidity. Made very 

 large they will catch large Thames trout, and in the rivers 

 of South Wales they are not bad baits for Salmon. 



