118 SHAKESPEARE'’S [ FLY. 
is not to be found one spider, nor a spider’s web. Because 
(as it is thought) the timber wherewith the roof is builded 
was brought out of Ireland, and did grow there. 
[N.B. This belief was still held in Wales in 1869.] In 
all which country of Ireland, I have not only heard it 
credibly told that there is neither spider, toad, nor any 
other venomous thing; but also that some of the earth of 
that country hath been brought hither, whereon a toad 
being laid, she hath died presently. Though this be mar- 
vellous and strange, yet it is true. 
Lupton, “A Thousand Notable Things,” bk. iv. § 31. 
Ir you rub slightly any kind of beast or cattle with the 
juice of gourds in hot weather, no kind of Flies will then 
hurt or molest them, nor yet annoy them. A thing desired 
of many, and very necessary for such as rides in the hot 
weather. Ibid., bk. v. § 42. 
Figs are generated two ways,—by coupling with their 
own species, or by the putrefaction of other things. When 
the Flies bite harder than ordinary, making at the face and 
eyes of men, they foretell rain or wet weather. Trouts 
are taken with the Ground-fly, but chiefly with the Dung- 
fly; so that the anglers use to fasten one or two of them 
to their hook, and with a sporting or rather cunning snatch- 
ing back of their line do invite the trouts more greedily to 
bite, and the bait being swallowed down to hang the surer. 
Others put as many of those Flies upon their hooks as 
they will hold, and plunge them quite down to the bottom, 
especially where they know the greater trouts use to ‘haunt. 
But every month must have his several Fly ; the which the 
fishers do very well know, who in defect of the natural 
Fly do substitute artificial Flies made of wool, feathers, or 
divers kind of silken colours, with which they cozen and 
deceive the fish, Only you must take heed that as soon as 
ever they bite, you pull your line to you, lest the fish 
refusing the unsavoury bait get away. We conclude this 
art of making Flies to be very ancient, and derived to us 
by long tract of time; however, we have some bold 
bragging book-men at this day [7.e., 1582] that ascribe it 
to their own invention. 
Mouffet, “Theatre of Insects,” pp. 932, 944, 946. 
