GUT. 9 



of as much general domestic use as any other 

 weighing machine of this kind can be. The 

 maker has also contrived one still more accurate, 

 similar to the circular dials above mentioned, 

 which, though they weigh up to 30lbs., are no 

 larger than a watch made forty years ago — these, 

 however, are rather more expensive. 



I shall now devote some space to a more par- 

 ticular description of the good and bad qualities 

 of the articles mentioned in the foregoing list. 



Gut. — In choosing gut of any kind, be not 

 too much guided by an apparent thickness, but, 

 as far as your time and patience will permit, 

 select such as is perfectly round ; and to prove it 

 so, try each piece by turning it quickly between 

 the fore-finger and thumb ; for if it be in anywise 

 flat, this will only be effected with difficulty, and 

 then you may safely condemn it. Each piece or 

 length, should be also to the teeth, hard like wire, 

 — colourless, and transparent as glass, which tes- 

 tifies strength — free from unravelled fibres, which 

 are attended with an inclination to split or peel — 

 knotted roughness, which shows almost actual 

 rottenness; the spaces between the knots when 

 pulled lengthways between the fingers, being soft 

 and weak ; or flashing lights when seen in a 

 slanting direction, which indicate flatness, and 

 consequent weakness. It should possess stiffiiess, 

 too, in bending, and with this should be com- 



