32 ; MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 
HAIR. 
Horsehair cannot be used with advantage for any 
kind of fishing-line. I have already explained its in- 
convenience when employed in the reel, or running-line ; 
and employed as a substitute for single gut it is equally 
a mistake, the latter being both finer, stronger, and, 
when stained as directed, much less visible in the water. 
This process of staining gut in fact takes away from hair 
the one real advantage it ever possessed, viz., that of not 
clittering in the water. It is a peculiar feature of hair 
that it will break on a long-continued strain, even though 
the actual weight be gradually rather lessened than in- 
creased. A strand of gut that will fairly lift a 5 lb. 
weight will commonly suffice to keep it suspended, if 
necessary; hair on the contrary will break in a few 
minutes on a strain less than that which it originally 
supported with ease. The best hair is obtained from the 
tails of szallions. 
STAINING HAIR. 
Stained hair is seldom used, the natural brown colour 
being usually preferred. Before it can be properly stained 
the greasiness must be removed by what is termed by 
dyers a “mordant.” A good mordant for the purpose, as 
well as for the dyeing of feathers, is obtained by dissolving 
about a quarter of an ounce of alum in a pint of water, 
and slightly boiling the hair or feathers in it. 
