x PREFACE. 
the Swallows are already congregating for 
their southern flight; and retire from it 
(with rare exceptions) before they have again 
heralded the spring, or the earth has re- 
awakened from her long winter-sleep. Such, 
it must be admitted, is not the season, nor 
are such the circumstances which can in 
any great degree tend to promote a love for, 
or conduce to, the study of Natural History. 
But how different is the Angler’s case! 
Not only is an accurate knowledge of some 
branches of Natural History essential to him 
who would excel in his art, but all the cir- 
cumstances attending it—the genial character 
of the season which peculiarly calls him forth 
—the beauty of the scenery into which he is 
naturally led, with all its sweet accompani- 
ments, 
“Rivers to whose shallow falls 
Melodious birds sing madrigals ;’— 
the soothing and thought-awakening influence 
of the water itself, ‘‘ Nature’s store-house, in 
which she locks up her wonders!”—the num- 
2 Tzaak Walton. 
