TREATISE ON FLY-FISHING. 35* 



appendage, and many a leviathan has escaped from 

 the neglect of some simple rule. 



The dress of a fisherman should be as sombre 

 as possible a darkish grey or lightish brown is 

 probably the best, as these colours assimilate with 

 that of the bark of trees, and the mosses and 

 lichens which encrust the rocks. Shining metal 

 buttons must be avoided. Lace boots or shoes 

 and stout leather gaiters are needed, as vipers 

 resort to the rivers in warm weather, and their 

 teeth readily penetrate the unprotected stocking. 

 By the bye, if the sportsman should unfortunately 

 be bitten, a little carbonate of soda, or sweet oil 

 should be applied to the part as speedily as 

 possible. I have found the former most efficacious 

 when my dogs have been bitten by those reptiles. 

 Our moors abound with them in August and 

 September ; it is well therefore to be provided 

 with a bottle of these simple antidotes, if a 

 lengthened excursion is contemplated by the 

 angler or shot. A drab hat is preferable to black, 



