DOBSON, the larva of the great neuron terous hellgrammite-fly (Corydolis cornutus), common all over temperate North America. The adult is among the largest of insects, its papery wings spreading more than four inches; and it is dull brown in color. The female has strong biting jaws; and in the male these are extended into long, curved instruments that look Ince formidable pincers, but are harmless, for they are used only in holding the female during the mating process. These insects fre quent swift-running streams and rarely fly abroad in the daytime. In midsummer the female lays about 3,000 whitish eggs set on end in roundish patches the size of a cent-piece, glued to leaves overhanging water, or on rocks near its surface. The eggs soon hatch, and the minute larva drop into the water, descend to the bottom and creep under stones, etc., where they cling to some firm object by claw-like appendages at the hinder end of the body. By preying on everything that can be caught they grow rapidly into powerful, tough-skinned, creeping marauders two inches in length. These
are much sought after by anglers for bait, and are known by many names, as dobson, hell grammite, crawler, water-grampus, hell-devil, alligator, etc. This aquatic life lasts for 2 years and 11 months. The dobson then leaves the water and crawls about on land, seeking a suitable place for pupation; this occurs usually in May, and a month later the fly emerges and spends its few weeks of life in securing and fertilizing a mate, which lays her eggs and then dies. Consult Howard, 'Insect Life) (New York 1901).
DOCE, &Ai, a river of Brazil, rising by several streams on the eastern slopes of the Sierra de Mantiqueira in the state of Minas Germs and flowing to the Atlantic, which it enters about 30 miles northeast of Santa Cruz. It is about 600 miles long and is navigable up to 120 miles from its mouth.