16 INTRODUCTION. 



The Ichneumon flies have no special mission to perform about 

 the water, but are frequently to be seen floating "spent " on the 

 surface ; plate 8, fig. 83, etc. 



III. The Coleoptera, or beetles. Insects of this order are readily 

 distinguished by means of their horn}' wing cases or " elytra " in 

 combination with their strong antennae and heavy legs. 



On plate 7 are shown five of the most useful ; the first is a fairly 

 common brown beetle (Serica brunnea), useful for dibbing with, and 

 taken by large trout and chub with avidity. At first glance it is 

 recognised as a small Cockchafer. 



Plate 7, fig. 67, is the small Cowdung Beetle (Aphodius f ceteris), 

 which is taken with avidity at all times by trout. No. 68 is the 

 " Soldier Beetle " (Telephorus lividus). The Soldier is found in 

 hundreds on hemlock and similar flowers, flying about and dropping 

 on the water in the sunshine. It is a beautiful orange colour, though 

 there is another and larger beetle, which has a dark body instead 

 of an orange one, and the elytra (wing cases) are rather more dingy 

 in colour. The Sailor Beetle (Telephorus rusticus) is a similar insect, 

 but has dark blue elytra with a metallic lustre. The fifth beetle 

 illustrated (No. 70) is a very common one (Elaphrus cuprens), with 

 dark shiny blue and greenish elytra, often found under stones, etc., 

 by the water side, from which it is washed out whenever the water 

 rises, and becomes a prey to the trout, which take it greedily. 



There are many other varieties which are locally abundant, and 

 if seen on the water, no doubt will repay the trouble of imitating. 

 Our object, however, is not to multiply patterns, but to choose only 

 the most useful and typical. 



The Water Beetles are often taken by trout, but No. 5 is fairly 

 like several of the common varieties. 



IV. Diptera, as the name suggests, are the flies with two wings 

 only, membraneous, usually transparent, and never very large ; 

 behind the wings are a pair of small spherical bodies terminating 

 a short stalk ; halterers or balancers they are sometimes called. 

 These may be atrophied wings or the early stage of development of 

 a second pair ; both theories have been advanced in explanation 



