35 



sible on several accounts. However, the principle of the 

 former gave me the hint, arid led to my first invention 

 (Fig. 10, Plate I.), which consists merely of a flat platef 

 of brass, cut into the form there described. 



The line winds round the centre part between the four 

 points a, b, c, d, where the plate may be less than a 

 quarter of an inch in thickness ; but it grows gradually 

 thicker as it approaches the ring, which may be half an inch 

 in breadth : the circle should be equal to the part of the 

 rod you would apply it to, making allowance for the wold- 

 ing, which is put on the ring to prevent its chafing the rod. 



The length (i. c. breadthwise) of such a reel, may be 

 three inches and an half at the broadest part, and about 

 an inch and three quarters from the upper edge of the 

 ring to the top. 



The increase of thickness towards the ring will not be 

 objectionable, when we consider that the line will give the 

 other, or flatter part of the reel, at least an equal diameter. 



I have since improved upon this reel, by causing it to 

 move on a pivot rising from the ring, which is thus inde- 

 pendent of the whirl ; the pivot, or spindle, goes through 

 the bottom and top of the frame, and is ri vetted ; at eacli 

 upper corner of the whirl is a stud, cased \vitii a move- 

 able cylinder moving round the stud, which serves as a 

 handle, or winch, wherewith to turn the whirl when 

 winding up. See Fig. 11, Plate I. 



It is worthy of remark in this place, that the quantity 

 of line given or received by a barrel-reel, is very unequal. 

 When the barrel is nearly full, it is at its greatest power 

 of augmentation or of diminution ; but as it gradually 

 empties, it keeps losing in proportion, till it scarcely 

 winds, or supplies any efficient quantity of line. 



c 6 Tikis 



