122 PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 



identical in this respect, it is essential that observa- 

 tions be assiduously carried on over an extended 

 period, or misconceptions will be the inevitable result. 

 Insects have been described in their first or imperfect 

 stage minutely, whilst the greater part of their 

 existence as flies and perfect insects has been ignored 

 altogether. Other species have been honoured by a 

 notice in their decrepit old age, when they are 

 described as beings of a day or hour. This incon- 

 sistency is mainly due to the difficulty above noted 

 of drawing correct inferences from limited investiga- 

 tion, and under the varying influences of the elements 

 and seasons. 



The next in importance to the angler, of the four 

 different varieties of Up-winged water flies, are the 

 Large or Spring Browns, so called from their being 

 more prevalent in the earlier parts of the season. 

 The first appearance of this second species is the 

 well-known March Brown of the northern and 

 southern counties, and the Dun Drake of the midlands, 

 the streams of which district produce this fly more 

 freely than elsewhere. The term Dun Drake, is 

 applied, owing to its bearing a conspicuous resemblance 

 to the May-fly or Drake in point of both size and 

 attitude, being twice the size of an ordinary dun. 

 When these flies first ascend from the watery depths 

 they are eagerly absorbed by the feeding fish. 

 Though styled the March Brown, they are seldom up 

 before the beginning of April on most streams. 

 After a few weeks of genial weather, the fly becomes 

 of lighter hue, as in the case of the olive dun, but 



