24 HOW TO TIB FLIES. 



has an interest and pleasure in so doing ; yet, lest 

 it be said that no practical suggestions have been 

 evolved, I will proceed to describe the ideal hook 

 of my imagining. It must be understood that I 

 in no way assume the right to speak with 

 authority, and that I am quite open to the con- 

 viction of being in error, either here or elsewhere. 

 On this understanding I present the drawing 

 below (Fig. 9). 



The reader will see for himself that the 

 characteristic lines and angles shown are as good 

 as those of most hooks in use at the present day, 

 while superiority may be claimed as regards the 

 exposure of the point. The last named is a little 

 kerbed, so that penetration is a little greater 



FIG. 9. 



than that shown on the plane of the paper. The 

 method of sharpening the point resembles that 

 employed by Messrs. Hardy for their " harpoon " 

 hook, but in mine the upper surface is flat, and 

 there is only one cutting edge (viz., that under- 

 neath) of any sharpness, while in their's there 

 are three. It is just possible that, while all 

 cutting edges aid penetration immensely, those at 

 the sides might start a tear in the flesh, and aid 

 the hook's pulling out. The underneath cutting 

 edge is free from this objection, as, once the hook 

 has penetrated, there is very little pressure where 

 the cut has been made, and, in any case, down- 

 ward cutting cannot do much harm. This mode 

 of sharpening also makes the point likely to get 



