6o6 OCEAN, LAKE, AND RIVER. 



favorai)le, is from the last of March to the first of May. Theii 

 second, through August and September. They may be farther 

 distinguished as morning flies, as the majority leave the water 

 during the hours of seven and eleven A. M. 



• " Another genus, immense in numbers, but small in size, that 

 metamorphose at this season, belongs to the family Ephemerida, 

 order Neuroftera. The pupa is active and closely resembles the 

 larvae. They are brisk, rapid swimmers, live an independent, un- 

 social life, keeping close to the bottom of the creek, where their 

 murky muddy color protects them from the vigfilant eyes of their 

 pursuers. When disturbed they unhesitatingly risk an open flight, 

 first up to the surface, skim along a little way and then down again. 

 These are their tactics on the defensive. It will be almost need- 

 less to write that these are favorite game for trout, and where one 

 is you are sure to find the other. It is impossible to rear them in 

 aquaria. If the water becomes a degree or two warmer than that 

 in the bed of the creek, both larvK and pups perish almost in- 

 stantly. When ready to take wing they rise to the surface under 

 some protecting shade, avoiding the uneven temperature of the 

 banks. With a heaving motion of the body the thorax slits open , 

 two upright wings flash out and are held aloof until the feet and setas 

 are drawn out ; for an instant it rests on its old coat, and then flies 

 off a sub-imago to await its last metamorphose, which takes place 

 in from ten to twenty-four hours after leaving the water. A deli- 

 cate parchment-like coating is thrown ofi'the entire body, head, feet 

 wings and setae, leaving the insect with paler colors — transparent 

 wings and translucent body. The familiar nomenclature for this 

 family is dark fox, poor man's fly, red fox and bright fox. These 

 begin to make their appearance the middle of April. There are 

 a succession of broods throughout the summer months. They 

 leave the water in the evenings, some very early in the mornings. 

 The black hackled fly has no natural history, only a history of long 

 experience, a captivating fly for all streams. Its most wonderful 

 exploits as a lure are when the water is discolored with rain. The ibis 

 is probably taken for a flower or animalcule. Many forest trees have 

 at this season a blossom whose petals are of this scarlet color. 

 The palmers or caterpillars are to be used wherever fish are to be 

 caught ad libitum. The grizzly king, queen of the water, and pro- 

 fessor, have a classical history. The two first are the invention of 

 Prof. John Wilson — Christopher North of the "Nodes Ambro- 

 siaruB." The last the invention of James Wilson, the eminent nat- 

 uralist. They are general flies for all streams, and all seasons. 

 Like the black hackled fly and ibis, these should be held in reserve 

 for the days and hours where the six-footed race are lying in am- 

 bush. 



" The dragon flies (Odonata). take the front rank among water 

 insects. In described species they exceed in number all the re- 



