FLIES. 23 



you will need this morning, though I doubt 

 if the last can be much used, as the grey 

 drake is not yet on the water in any quantity. 



PHYS. Pray, can you give us any account 

 of these curious little animals ? 



HAL. We ought to draw upon your stores 

 of science for information on these subjects. 



PHYS. I really know nothing of Entomo- 

 logy, but lam desirous of acquiring knowledge. 



HAL. I have made few observations on 

 flies as a philosophical naturalist. What I 

 know I will state at another time. But see, 

 the green drake is descending upon the water, 

 and some are leaving the alders to sport in the 

 sunshine, and to enjoy the pleasures of their 

 brilliant though short existence; and their life, 

 naturally ephemeral, is made one of scarcely 

 a moment, by the fishes and birds : that which 

 the swallow or the duck spares is caught by 

 the fish. The fly is new, and in the imitation, 

 I recommend the olive tint, or what the Irish 

 call the green monkey ; that is, an artificial 

 fly, with awing of dyed yellow drake's feather, 

 a body of yellow monkey's fur, and a small 

 quantity of olive mohair for legs. For myself, 

 c 4 



