GUT LOOPS, ETC., TAGS, AND TAILS. 35 



tying silk tight though), and with the nails remove 

 the twist as before, leaving the core exposed ; take 

 two or three more turns of the tying silk, and let 

 go of the pliers. 



Now, take five or six inches of fine floss silk, 

 smooth it carefully between thumb and forefinger, 

 so as to get any twist out. The fingers must be 

 perfectly clean and free from wax, so don't forget 

 the methylated spirit. Place the floss against the 

 side of the hook, diagonally as shown, and wind 



Fig. 14. 



three or four turns of the tying silk over it, the 

 coils being close, even, and to the right of the last 

 coils. Cut off the end of the floss closely. If the 

 floss was not tied in diagonally, there would be a 

 ridge there. The floss must now be wound to 

 the left as far as the twist, then start back again 

 to the right. There should be a slight taper from 

 the twist, so you must wind the coils closer as 

 you go. The floss should nearly reach to a spot 



