INDEX. 
AT the time this book was written, the angling flies were a 
mixed mass, without order or class, and without any 
descriptions of their kinds, sizes, shapes or colors. Their 
names were a chance medley given by the anglers of dif- 
ferent streams, and what they were called on one water 
would rarely distinguish them on another. After years of 
examination of the flies for the purpose of imitation, it was 
observable that several of them were of the same shape, but 
differing in their sizes and colors, and that several. more 
were of another shape, varying likewise in their sizes and 
colors. This hinted the system of separation according to 
shapes and construction, which divided the mixed mass of 
flies into seven distinct parts or’ classes. Researches were 
resumed each succeeding season, so long as any of the 
aquatic or land flies that are of interest to the flyfisher 
could be met with. They were generally taken alive, and 
were closely examined, measured, drawn, and described, 
and placed to their respective classes. This ultimately 
severed the mixed mass, and gave to each individual fly in 
the classes a “local habitation and a name.” The design 
and order of their structure was by the great Architect that 
made them: He formed them in classes, and stamped each 
class with its own peculiar family likeness. 
After the flies were divided into classes, it became neces- 
