64 FISHING GOSSIP. 
to the surface. of the water, almost instantaneously 
assumes the pseudimago or green drake form, and 
makes shift to fly to the bank, alighting on a bush, 
stone, rush-stem, or any appropriate object, not re- 
jecting a man’s hat or arm. The bathing-robe, if it 
may so be termed, is still upon the insect; the thin 
membranous pellicle, that protected its full dress 
from the water, still enfolds it, But, In a few 
seconds after alighting, the case seems to split up the 
centre, the wings are unfolded and drawn out of their 
covering as a lady takes off her glove, and the insect 
flies off in full bridal dress to seek its appointed 
mate. The aérial nuptials being consummated, the 
female drops in the water, lays her eggs, and dies 
from exhaustion, if not snapped up by bird or fish. 
The male hovers at a higher altitude over the water ; 
being destitute of eggs, and inflated with air, the 
fish care little about him, and thus he obtains from 
the Oxfordshire anglers the opprobious epithet of 
bastard. 
The astonishing number of Ephemeride that start 
into existence in the space of a few hours is almost 
incredible. Reaumur thus describes a scene of this 
kind he witnessed on the banks of the Marne :— 
“ The myriads of Ephemere which filled the air over the 
current of the river, and over the bank on which I stood, are 
neither to be expressed nor conceived. When the snow falls 
with the largest flakes, and with the least interval between 
