CHAPTER IV. 



ON MATERIALS (Continued). 



THE range of materials for bodies is greatly 

 varied, and apparently very complete. Some 

 thirty years ago, floss, herl, wool, dubbing, and 

 tinsel were almost exclusively employed, and even 

 at the present day great quantities are used, but 

 quill, horsehair, and indiarubber are to a great 

 extent ousting them from favour. 



"Floss is simply raw silk, dyed, of course, in 

 most cases, and a great number of strands laid 

 on together. It is sold in skeins, from which one 

 need not trouble to unwind it, as a small piece 

 can be easily cut away when required and split 

 into several lengths of the desired thickness. 

 Floss is very easy to work with, and makes a very 

 pretty body ; but it can scarcely be recommended 

 for flies with light coloured bodies, as it darkens 

 so much when wet. 



Herls are woolly-like strips of plume, taken 

 from such large feathers as are obtained from the 

 ostrich or peacock. They rnake^ stout, hairy 

 bodies, and are very much used, but are not a 

 favourite material of my own. Of the peacock's 

 herls most in demand, those from the lower part 

 of the tail are of a red bronze colour, while those 

 from the " sword " feathers are of a bright metallic 

 green. Herls from the wing of the heron, and the 

 tail of the turkey and pheasant are sometimes 

 used. 



Wool, the hard crewel wool especially, is a good 

 material. It is what I generally use for pale 

 c 3 



