46 STONE FLIES— PERLIDM. 



ever, dyed gut or condor quill as a body, and really glassy 

 hackle points for the wings and legs, have proved the 

 undoing of many trout since then. 



The Willow Fly (fig. 55) comes on later in the season. 

 It is seen flying in the sunshine at times in thousands, 

 gently drifting before the wind, and is also a great 

 favourite. For grayling a small orange tag representing 

 the egg sac of the female fly is a useful addition. 



The small Dark Needle Fly (fig. 56) is found in 

 abundance on most stony streams, and is the last type 

 we propose to show of this interesting and useful family 

 of flies. 



Unfortunately, in the English language, there is 

 no book giving a complete account of the Stone Flies 

 (Perlidce), though some work has been done by members 

 of the Ray, Linnean, and other societies, and it is stated 

 that there are about thirty varieties indigenous to this 

 country. As their name suggests, all frequent stony 

 rapid streams, and in consequence their imitations are of 

 the highest importance to anglers in the upper waters 

 of our rivers. 



They hatch out as early as February, and some 

 members of the family are with us until after the angling 

 season closes. The sight of this plate recalls many 

 happy days of glorious success with baskets of fine 

 fish, taken with the Large Stone Fly when the 

 elements were capricious and anything but favourable, 

 also when the conditions were fine and bright, and the 

 fish were taken from amongst the stones, almost on the 

 gravel beds, as well as when offered in the heavier streams 

 amongst the rocks, 



