JUNE 157 



human society, so among the creatures 

 of the wilds, often the mind of the 

 observer is rent by a conflict between 

 natural pity for the weak or the 

 picturesque and a perception that 

 measures to make the pity effective are 

 certain to end in trouble and probably in 

 injustice. At any rate, the Mayflies are 

 at present a sorely subjugated race. 

 While one does not hear of any stream 

 on which they are as plentiful as they 

 used to be, there are many streams on 

 which they are becoming fewer, and 

 some on which they are extinct. 



That is why there can be no harm in 

 having described the marvellous Mayfly 

 fishing which was witnessed years ago. 

 There is no fear that any one will be 

 able to repeat it. On streams where the 

 Mayfly is common the insect is relished 

 by the fish more than any other dainty 

 in their fare. It is so extraordinarily 

 appetising that when it is abundant the 

 very largest trout, which cannot be 

 attracted by any other fly, come out of 



