264 



THE ZOOLOGIST. 



NOTES ON THE COMMON MAYFLY (EPHEMERA 

 VULGATA) AND OTHER SPECIES. 



By Gordon Dalgliesh. 



The name of " Mayfly " is a somewhat paradoxical one, since 

 the perfect insect is found in greater numbers in June than May. 

 Previous to this year (1909), the earliest date I had of its appear- 

 ance was June 2nd, but this year I noticed it first on May 19th. 



Larvule. Nymph. Imago. 



Ephemera vulgata. 



This early " hatch " was in all probability due to the long spell 

 of lovely warm weather. From the ' Fishing Gazette ' of May 

 22nd I quote the following notes : — 



" Mayflies on May 15th and 16th on the Colne at West 

 Drayton " (W. H. Bates). 



" Mayfly appeared here on the Pinsley on May 15th. I saw 

 to-day (May 16th) a fair basket made [Trout presumably] dap- 

 ping with the Mayfly" (P. Summerville). 



"Whilst having lunch in my fishing-hut I noticed several 

 Mayflies rise to the surface of the river [Darenth] , and they 

 were blown away over the fields by a strong north-west wind " 

 (W. B. Leaf). 



The following extracts are taken from my note-book : — 



11 May 19th. — Common Mayfly up at Sweetwater, Witley, 



