10 



any thickness, by twisting together, either in twos, threes, 

 or fours, any number of hairs of which they are respec- 

 tively to be composed 5 precisely as the best kinds of hard 

 rope are manufactured in strands, formed of smaller 

 strands, and each of the latter having an equal number 

 of threads, or yarns. 



The number of links to be made, must depend on the 

 intended length of the line : in general, twelve feet will 

 be found an ample stretch ; especially if the foot-length, 

 that is, the three or four links nearest the hook, be made 

 of gut ; which is far preferable to horses' hair, in every 

 respect. 



It will ordinarily be found, that four hairs are best for 

 the bottom link, if gut be used below k ; and that the 

 addition of one hair in the thickness of every third link, 

 is full strong enough for any purpose. 



The links are to be joined by what is called a water* 

 knot 5 this is very secure, and is easily made in the fol- 

 lowing manner : let the two ends that are to be joined, 

 lap over about an inch and a half, without untying their 

 end knots ; then, in the same way that you would make 

 an ordinary knot, so tie these, taking care to pass the parts 

 of both lines together, and then draw tight at each of the 

 four ends. This forms the water-knot. See Fig. 4, 

 Plate I. 



Before you cut away the two little ends, on each of 

 which is a knot, whip them down well, for about a 

 quarter of an inch on each side the water-knot, finishing 

 on each side with a hidden tie, that runs under the whip- 

 ping for three rounds at least j so that it never can fail but 

 from the decay or cutting of the silk. 



Having done this, pass a piece of quill between the ends 



and 



