taken from the skein ; for such parts at each end as are 

 quickly bitten through, and make little resistance to the 

 teeth, will not hold a fish in a proper manner. 



Weed is much thicker, and is of a duller, though of a 

 whiter appearance. At first it is very strong, but does 

 not keep so well as gut. However, where you expect 

 to find jacks and eels, it answers .almost as well as gimp 

 (which see in its proper place) : it will do for perch fish- 

 ing, as also where salmo?i do not run to any great size. 



Choose your weed as has been directed regarding gut, 

 and take especial care to keep them both in situations free 

 from damp ; for if once mildewed, they are never after 

 to be trusted, though they may bite tough. 



Many prefer their gut and weed of a water, or of a 

 light brown colour, which may be given in various ways : 

 the following are perhaps the least exceptionable. 



* i 



To Colour Gut, or Weed, Brown. 

 1st, There is in every cock- chaffer (in some counties 

 called caterpillars, in others, dummadorcs, &c.) a small 

 bag containing a liquid, of a beautiful brown. This ap- 

 plied to your gut, or weed, and allowed to dry in the air, 

 will give it a fine transparent colour, which may be com- 

 pletely fixed, by dipping afterwards into a weak solution 

 of alum ; using about the size of a hazel-nut to half a 

 pint of cold spring- water. 



If you think the colour, in the first instance, too deep, 

 dilute the brown liquid with about an equal quantity of 

 alum-water, and apply it. 



The great merit of this is, that it does not in the smallest 

 degree tend to injure your line. 



2d, Coftee is an excellent colour, and being always to 



be 



