NATURAL FLIES. 



ITH regard to the particular classes of insects 

 that fish feed upon, a few general remarks 

 may be interesting to the Fly-fisher. 



The EPHEMERAE, or day-flies, deserve the 

 first place amongst the insects suitable for Anglers. They 

 are a most beautiful tribe, and great favourites of the trout 

 and grayling. The Green and Grey Drake, (Ephemera vul- 

 gata) (Plate n. cxciv.) ; the March Brown (vi.), the Red 

 Spinner (Ixxii.), Bloa and Orange (xxxix.), Bloa and Yellow 

 (xi.), all on Plate HI. are specimens. They are produced 

 from larva which inhabit rivulets and becks, &c. ; becoming 

 nymphce, they crawl to the water's edge, burst from their 

 covering, and assume the form of winged insects. They 

 enjoy a sportive life of but a few hours ; nay, some even 

 exist only one hour ; perform all the functions of nature, 

 and die upon the water from which they so lately sprang 

 into existence. Were it not for this wise dispensation of 

 Providence, and the life of these myriads of insects were 

 protracted to the usual period, the air would be thronged 

 beyond human existence. The earliest appear in February 

 and March, and the latest in October and even in November. 

 They change their appearance as the season advances ; the 

 browns become orange and yellow, and the reds change to 

 cream colour ; the blues, from a deep hue to a paler bloa 

 cast; and again, as the summer's light declines, so their 

 sizes not only diminish, but darken in colour, suiting them- 



