CLASSIFICATION OF SALMON FLIES. 



19 



only on rare, but notable, occasions. So in truth his principle is a 

 matter of less consequence to him generally, though it is undeniably both 

 of use and interest. 



Of the possible principles of classification only two will commend 

 themselves to our consideration, a division according to " bodies," or a 

 division according to " wings." I choose the latter for the following 

 reasons : firstly, because there is as much variety of construction in 

 that part as in any other ; secondly, that there is also a variety in this 

 part dictated by local taste in man, or fish, or both and finally, that 

 the wings are a " leading article " in the matter of fly dressing. 



There is, however, a considerable variety in bodies, not only as 

 regards quantity and kind of material, but also as regards the disposition 

 of the latter with reference to proportion and colour ; witness the plain 

 fur or silk body, the " Jock Scott " body, the " Butcher " body, and that 

 of the " Popham " all distinct types. The wing, however, seems on 

 the whole to afford the simplest and best fundamental division. 1 am 

 unaware of any previous attempt at such a classification, and therefore, 

 unaided by the light of earlier exploration, I offer with all due 

 diffidence the following simple scheme, as the best I have been able to 

 devise : 



A. FLIES. 



WHOLE FEATHER WINGED-" FLACK HANGER." 



c2 



