CHAPTER I. 



GNATS AND CRANE-FLIES. 



On plate i are shewn typical specimens of crane 

 flies (tipulidce) and of gnats (cJiironomidce), etc. 



The crane-flies are exceedingly plentiful and various 

 in size and colour, althoueh most of the kroner ones 

 are of a brownish shade, and the distinguishing 

 characteristic of all of them is their long trailing legs, 

 this and their single pair of wings make the group 

 almost unmistakeable. Although they have not a true 

 aquatic history, many of them breed in damp places, 

 and are continually dropping on the water, or alterna- 

 tively touching the surface and rising a short distance, 

 particularly is this the case in windy weather, when 

 they are frequently on the water in hundreds. 



Many are seen on the water, at times lying with their 

 wings out-stretched, too exhausted to lift their long 

 legs from the surface. Some members of the family 

 are in evidence quite early in the season, the largest 

 come on about May, and continue to be seen till the 

 end of the season. 



The speckled one. No. 3, is often seen flying in 

 swarms over the water in quiet corners on summer 

 evenings. 



No. 4 is sometimes called the gravel spider. It is 

 found on the gravel beds of rivers, and is often seen 

 quietly floating down stream standing on the water. 



