Part 36
From my own experience I should suppose that in all the habitable parts of the globe, certain water-flies exist wherever there is running water. Even in the most ardent temperature, gnats and musquitoes are found, which lay their congeries of eggs on the water, which, when hatched, become, first worms, afterwards small shrimp-like aurelia, and, lastly, flies. There are a great number of the largest species of these flies on stagnant waters and lakes, which form a part of the food of various fishes, principally of the carp kind; but the true fisherman’s fly—those which are imitated in our art—principally belong to the northern, or at least temperate parts of Europe, and I believe are nowhere more abundant than in England. It appears to me, that since I have been a fisherman, which is now the best part of half a century, I have observed in some rivers where I have been accustomed to fish habitually, a diminution of the numbers of flies. There were always some seasons in which the temperature was favourable to a quantity of fly; for instance, fine warm days in spring for the grannam, or brown-fly; and like days in May and June for the alder-fly, May-fly, and stone-fly: but I should say, that within the last twenty years I have observed a general diminution of the spring and autumnal flies, except in those rivers which are fed from sources that run from chalk, and which are perennial—such as the Wandle, and the Hampshire and Buckinghamshire rivers; in these streams the temperature is more uniform, and the quantity of water does not vary much. I attribute the change of the quantity of flies in the rivers to the cultivation of the country. Most of the bogs or marshes which fed many considerable streams are drained; and the consequence is, that they are more likely to be affected by severe droughts and great floods—the first killing, and the second washing away the larvæ and aurelias. May-flies, thirty years ago, were abundant in the upper part of the Teme river, in Herefordshire, where it receives the Clun: they are now rarely seen.
In December and January there are a few small gnats or waterflies on the water in the middle of the day, in bright days, or when there is sunshine. These are generally black, and they escape the influence of the frost by the effects of light on their black bodies, and probably by the extreme rapidity of the motions of their fluids, and generally of their organs. They are found only at the surface of the water, where the temperature must be above the freezing point. In February a few double-winged water-flies which swim down the stream are usually found in the middle of the day—such as the willow-fly; and the cow-dung fly is sometimes carried on the water by winds. In March there are several flies found on most rivers. The grannam or green-tail fly, with a wing like a moth, comes on generally morning and evening, from five till eight o’clock, A. M. in mild weather in the end of March and through April. Then there are the blue and brown, both ephemeral, which come on, the first in dark days, the second in bright days; these flies, when well imitated, are very destructive to fish. The first is a small fly with a palish yellow body, and slender, beautiful wings, which rest on the back as it floats down the water. The second, called the cob in Wales, is three or four times as large, and has brown wings, which likewise protrude from the back, and its wings are shaded like those of a partridge, brown and yellow-brown. These three kinds of flies lay their eggs in the water, which produce larvæ that remain in the state of worms, feeding and breathing in the water till they are prepared for their metamorphosis and quit the bottoms of the rivers, and the mud and stones, for the surface, and the light and air. The brown fly usually disappears before the end of April, likewise the grannam; but of the blue dun, there is a succession of different tints, or species, or varieties, which appear in the middle of the day, all the summer and autumn long. These are the principal flies on the Wandle—the best and clearest stream near London. In early spring these flies have dark olive bodies; in the end of April and beginning of May they are found yellow; and in the summer they become cinnamon-coloured; and again, as the winter approaches, gain a darker hue. I do not, however, mean to say that they are the same flies, but more probably successive generation of ephemera of the same species. The excess of heat seems equally unfavourable as the excess of cold, to the existence of the smaller species of water insects, which, during the intensity of sunshine, seldom appear in summer, but rise morning and evening only. The blue dun has, in June and July, a yellow body; and there is a water-fly which in the evening is generally found before the moths appear, called the red spinner. Towards the end of August, the ephemera appear again in the middle of the day—a very pale, small ephemera, which is of the same colour as that which is seen in some rivers in the beginning of July. In September and October, this kind of fly is found with an olive body, and it becomes darker in October, and paler in November. There are two other flies which appear in the end of September, and continue during October, if the weather be mild; a large yellow fly with a fleshy body and wings like a moth, and a small fly with four wings, with a dark or claret-coloured body, that when it falls on the water has its wings like the great yellow fly, flat on its back. This, or a claret-bodied fly, very similar in character, may be likewise found in March or April, on some waters. In this river I have often caught many large trout in April and the beginning of May, with the blue dun, having the yellow body; and in the upper part of the stream below St. Alban’s, and between that and Watford, I have sometimes, even as early as April, caught fish in good condition; but the true season for the Colne is the season of May-fly. The same may be said of most of the large English rivers containing large trouts, and abounding in May-fly: such as the Test and the Kennet; the one running by Stockbridge, the other by Hungerford. But in the Wandle at Carshalton and Beddington, the May-fly is not found: and the little blues are the constant, and, when well imitated, killing flies on this water; to which may be joined a dark alder fly, and a red evening fly. In the Avon, at Ringwood and Fordingbridge, the May-fly is likewise a killing fly; but as this is a grayling river, the other flies, particularly the grannam and blue and brown, are good in spring, and the alder-fly or pale blue later, and the blue dun in September and October, and even November. In the streams in the mountainous parts of Britain, the spring and autumnal flies are by far the most killing. The Usk was formerly a very productive trout stream, and the fish being well fed by the worms washed down by the winter floods, were often in good season, cutting red in March and the beginning of April: and at this season the blues and browns, particularly when the water was a little stained after a small flood, afforded the angler good sport.
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As we are on the subject of tying, I must observe, that the advantage one derives from being able to construct his own flies is wonderful; in fact, without attaining this accomplishment in the ‘gentle art,’ no one can fish comfortably or successfully. No stock, however extensive, will afford a supply adapted for every change of weather and water, and a man may lose a day overlooking an interminable variety of kinds and colours, in a vain search after one killing fly. Not so the artist: the favourite insect being once ascertained, he speedily produces an imitation and fills his basket, while his less fortunate neighbour is idly turning the pages of his over-stocked fishing-book.
I had two sporting friends, who were excellent instances of this. Colonel S—— was an ardent, and, I may add, a very tolerable angler. No one went to more trouble and expense in procuring the most approved flies; he never tied, or attempted to tie one, and he assured me he had many hundred dozens in his possession. To find a new fly, was with him sometimes the labour of a day: and when about to try another water, he would spend hours toiling through his immense variety, before he could succeed in discovering the necessary colour and description. I have seen him with Job-like patience, labouring through endless papers and parcels in search of a paltry insect, that I could fabricate in five minutes.
His companion, Captain B——, ran into an opposite extreme. He rarely had a second casting line, and seldom a second set of flies. Did the day change, or the river fill or lower, he sat down on the bank, ripped wings and dubbings from his hooks, and prepared a new outfit in a twinkling. I never met an angler who was so certain of filling a basket as my friend B——. His system, however, I would totally disapprove of. Without burthening oneself with enough to furnish out a tackle-shop, a small and effective collection is desirable, and it is absurd to lose a fortunate half-hour tying on the river bank, what could be more conveniently fabricated during the tedium of a wet day within doors. An accident may rob the most discreet angler of his flies, and surely it is necessary to have a fresh relay to put up? But though I take a sufficiency along with me, I never leave home without being provided with the materials for constructing new ones. An hour may bring ephemeræ on the waters, which you must imitate, or you will cast in vain; before evening they will have vanished, and given place to some new variety of the insect world. Thus far, at least, the tier possesses an advantage over him who cannot produce a fly, that no collection which human ingenuity can form will compensate.
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FLIES IN GENERAL USE.
_February._—Dark fox, hare’s ear and claret, dark grey hackle, plain black hackle, grey sooty.
_March._—Plain black hackle, plain wren, dark brownrail, dark olive camel, fox half a shade lighter than last month, dark brown camel, latter end of the month brown coughlin, dark red hackles’ bodies with brown coughlin, dirty tawny bodied with hare’s ear, green cowdung, grey sooty.
_April._—Grey coughlin, light olive camel, light brown rail, ash fox-blow for latter end of the month, orange cow dung, blue blow, tipped wing black, plain black midge, hare’s ear and yellow, hare’s ear and green, plain red hackle orange bodied, do. tipped black hackle, plain black hackle, blue bodied black hackle, buff fox, grey sooty, all kind of wren hackles, grey hackles. This list will bring you into May, and some of them into June.
_May._—Hawthorn fly, yellow may fly, golden sooty, light fox, cream camel, brown rail, fancy hackle flies, caterpillars, green beetles, black do., golden palmers, yellow and orange palmers, stone fly, plain and brown beetles.
_June._—All the may flies, and green fox come in now, and with light fox continues all the summer; light rail, blue bodied black hackle, orange bodied red, fancy wrens, gold palmer, green beetle, scaldcrow midge, and night moth.
_July and August._—The above flies, and the cinnamon called the cadbait fly.
_September._—Muddy green fox, green rail with plain red hackle, orange body do., light rail, plain and fancy wrens; small cadbait breasted with woodcock hackle and double wings, last during the fishing season.
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In fly-fishing, the angler should recollect to take with him some portion of all the different materials for fly-making: so whimsical sometimes are trouts, that they may be seen to take insignificant flies greedily, which at other times they would not look at. When this happens, catch one of such flies, and try how nearly art can imitate nature, by framing one as similar as can be.—_Davy_—_Wild Sports_—_Daniel._
FLYCATCHER, _s._ One that hunts flies; a bird.
Of the birds which constitute this class, we find only two kinds that inhabit this island, and these are not the most numerous of the various tribes with which this country abounds.
The characters of this genus with us are somewhat equivocal, and not well ascertained; neither do we know of any common name in our language by which it is distinguished. Mr. Pennant describes it thus:—“Bill flatted at the base, almost triangular, notched at the end of the upper mandible, and beset with bristles at its base.”—_Bewick._
FLYFISH, _v._ To angle with a hook baited with a fly.
FOAL, _s._ The offspring of a mare, or other beast of burden.
FOAL, _v._ To bring forth a foal.
FOAM, _s._ The white substance which agitation or fermentation gathers on the top of liquors; froth, spume.
FOAM, _v._ To froth, to gather foam; to be in rage; to be violently agitated.
FODDER, _s._ Dry food stored for cattle against winter.
FOLD, _s._ The ground in which sheep are confined; the place where sheep are housed; the flock of sheep; a double, a complication.
FOMENTATION, _s._ Partial bathing, called steeping; the lotion prepared to foment the parts.
Fomentations are divided into _emollient_ and _anodyne_.
EMOLLIENT FOMENTATION.
Boil marshmallows in water for some time, strain off the liquor, and bathe the affected parts with it while warm.
ANODYNE FOMENTATION.
1. White poppy heads broken, two dozen. Hemlock, two handfuls.
Boil for two hours gently in six quarts of water.
2. Wormwood dried, and camomile flowers of each 4 oz. Rue 3 oz. Bay leaves 2 oz.
Boil them for one hour in a gallon of water.
The efficacy of a fomentation depends on its being properly applied: therefore, the liquid should be only _as hot as the part can bear without pain_. Large flannel cloths should be dipped into the fomentation, lightly wrung out, and spread over the affected part, and be renewed before they become cold; this ought to be continued for half an hour at least, and repeated three or four times a day.
_Emollient fomentation_ is adapted to inflamed swellings, from whatever cause they may arise; and, in the absence of others, warm water alone will be found an useful substitute.
Warm water, if used assiduously, and at a proper temperature, is an excellent fomentation. In inflammation of the eye, it should not be above 98°; in inflamed and painful swellings it should seldom exceed 100°. In strains of the back sinews, vinegar is preferable; and as the injury is deeply seated, the fomentation may be applied hotter.
When employed for inflammation of the bowels, it should be still hotter, so hot, indeed, that the hand cannot feel it without pain. The best mode of application is by a long piece of woollen cloth, with the ends joined, that it may be wrung out of the boiling liquor by placing a stick through each end. When thus applied, it may be called a _steam fomentation_. A man on either side the horse is required to apply this fomentation effectually. Where the injury is not extensive, the fomentation may be applied with a large sponge, or a thick woollen cloth, or old rug or blanket.—_White._
FOOT, _s._ The part upon which we stand; that by which any thing is supported; the base; a measure containing twelve inches.
FORAGE, _s._ Search of provisions; provisions sought abroad; provisions in general; food for horses.
FORCEPS, _s._ Properly signifies a pair of tongs, but is used for an instrument in chirurgery to extract any thing out of wounds.
FORD, _s._ A shallow part of a river.
FORD, _v._ To pass without swimming.
FOREHAND, _s._ That part of a horse which is before the rider.
Forehand implies that part of a horse extending from the ears to the withers; which to be handsome should be long, and rise gradually from the upper point of the shoulder blade to the very extremity of the ear. A forehand of this description adds greatly to the majestic appearance and value of a horse. But a horse low before, with a short forehand, and indented crest, can never become an object of attraction.—_Taplin._
FOREHEAD, _s._ That part of the face which reaches from the eyes upwards to the hair: impudence, confidence, assurance.
To observe the form and effect of the forehead, it will be necessary to get before the horse. It is the space extending from the roots of the ears, and between the eyes, which being broad and flat, having a feather or star in the centre, constitutes a degree of beauty, and may be supposed to have a cross of the Arabian in the blood. If a horse having a wide flat forehead, has the advantage of a full prominent spirited eye, they at the first approach afford no small indication of excellence; and, upon nearer inspection, a corresponding symmetry is expected to follow.—_Taplin._
FORELEGS, _s._ That part of a horse beginning at the lower extremity of the shoulder blade before, and the elbow behind.
The forelegs consist of what are termed the arms (or thighs), which extend to each knee; the shank-bone from the knee to the fetlock joint; the fetlock bone is continued from thence to the coronary bone, in part fills the cavity, or box of the hoof, being lodged in the coffin-bone, supported by the nut-bone behind; these last are deposited in the membraneous mass denominated the inner sole, the whole being terminated by the bottom of the hoof, the frog, and the outer sole. The forelegs, to be uniform (in a front view), should be wide at the upper part next the breast, strong and broad in the arm, bony below the knee, free from splents, a broad sound hoof, firm sole, and a frog without thrushes.—_Taplin._
FORELOCK, _s._ The hair that grows from the forepart of the head.
FOREST, _s._ A wild uncultivated tract of ground, with wood.
FORESTER, _s._ An officer of the forest; an inhabitant of the wild or woody country.
The forester is an officer sworn to preserve the vert and venison within his walk, and not to conceal but to attach all offenders, to present the offences and attachments in the next court of attachments, or swainmote, and to take care of the lawing of dogs.
FORGE, _s._ The place where iron is beaten into form; a place where horses are shod.
FORGE, _v._ To form by the hammer.
FOWL, _s._ A winged animal, a bird.
FOWL, _v._ To kill birds for food or game.
FOWLER, _s._ A sportsman who pursues birds.
FOWLING-PIECE, _s._ A gun for birds.
FOX, _s._ A wild animal of the dog kind, remarkable for his cunning.
The fox is a native of almost every quarter of the globe, and is of such a wild nature, that it is impossible fully to tame him. He is esteemed the most sagacious and most crafty of all beasts of prey. The former quality he shows in his mode of providing himself an asylum, where he retires from pressing dangers, where he dwells, and where he brings up his young: and his craftiness is discovered by his schemes to catch lambs, geese, hens, and all kinds of small birds. The fox, if possible, fixes his abode on the border of a wood, in the neighbourhood of some farm or village: he listens to the crowing of the cocks, and the cries of the poultry; he scents them at a distance; he chooses his time with judgment; he conceals his road as well as his design; he slips forward with caution, sometimes even trailing his body, and seldom makes a fruitless expedition. If he can leap the wall, or get in underneath, he ravages the court-yard, puts all to death, and retires softly with his prey, which he either hides under the herbage, or carries off to his kennel. He returns in a few minutes for another, which he carries off and conceals in the same manner, but in a different place. In this way he proceeds till the progress of the sun, or some movements perceived in the house, advertise him that it is time to suspend his operations, and to retire to his den. He plays the same game with the catchers of thrushes, woodcocks, &c. He visits the nets and bird-lime very early in the morning, carries off successively the birds which are entangled, and lays them in different places, especially by the sides of highways, in the furrows, under the herbage or brushwood, where they sometimes lie two or three days; but he knows perfectly where to find them when he is in need. He hunts the young hares in the plains, seizes old ones in their seats, digs out the rabbits in the warrens, discovers the nests of partridges and quails, seizes the mother on the eggs, and destroys a vast quantity of game. He is exceedingly voracious, and, when other food fails him, makes war against rats, field-mice, serpents, lizards, and toads. Of these he destroys vast numbers, and this is the only service that he appears to do to mankind.
When urged by hunger, he will also eat roots or insects; and the foxes near the coasts will devour crabs, shrimps, or shell-fish. In France and Italy they do incredible mischief, by feeding on grapes, of which they are excessively fond.
We are told by Buffon, that he sometimes attacks bee-hives, and the nests of wasps, for the sake of what he can find to eat: and that he frequently meets with so rough a reception, as to force him to retire, that he may roll on the ground and crush those that are stinging him; but having thus rid himself of his troublesome companions, he instantly returns to the charge, and obliges them at length to forsake their combs, and leave them as a reward of his victory. When pressed by necessity he will devour carrion. “I once,” says M. Buffon, “suspended on a tree, at the height of nine feet, some meat, bread, and bones. The foxes had been at severe exercise during the night; for next morning the earth all round was beaten, by their jumping, as smooth as a barn-floor.”
The fox exhibits a great degree of cunning in digging young rabbits out of their burrows. He does not enter the hole, for in that case he would have to dig several feet along the ground, under the surface of the earth; but he follows their scent above, till he comes to the end, where they lay, and then scratching up the earth, descends immediately upon, and devours them.
Pontoppidan informs us, that when the fox observes an otter go into the water to fish, he will frequently hide himself behind a stone, and when the otter comes to shore with his prey, he will make such a spring upon him, that the affrighted animal runs off, and leaves his booty behind. A certain person, continues this writer, was surprised on seeing a fox near a fisherman’s house, laying a parcel of storks’ heads in a row: he waited the event; the fox hid himself behind them, and made a booty of the first crow that came for a bit of them.
The fox prepares for himself a convenient den, in which he lies concealed during the greater part of the day.
This is so contrived, as to afford the best possible security to the inhabitant, being situated under hard ground, the roots of trees, &c. and is besides furnished with proper outlets, through which he may escape in case of necessity. This care and dexterity in constructing for himself a habitation, is, by M. Buffon, considered as alone sufficient to rank the fox among the higher order of quadrupeds, since it implies no small degree of intelligence.
The fox, (says he,) knows how to ensure his safety, by providing himself with an asylum to which he retires from pressing dangers, where he dwells, and where he brings up his young. He is not a vagabond, but lives settled in a domestic state. This difference, though it appears even among men, has greater effects, and supposes more powerful causes, among the inferior animals. The single idea of a habitation, or settled place of abode, the art of making it commodious, and concealing the avenues to it, imply a superior degree of sentiment.