file-like teeth cut your line asunder. I have there-fore 

 to recommend to the angler,, to use very fine gimp of the 

 yellow kind, 



In treating of night-lines, I have shewn why. gz'mpis 

 preferable to wire ; it is proper to add, that they should 

 be laid for eels under banks and stumps, near to mud 

 banks, or such loose sand, or small gravel, as the eels 

 can penetrate into. 



The finest sport may be expected near bridges, old 

 buildings, and especially near to (and rather below than 

 above) large towns, mills, &c. where there are large 

 pebbles and stones laying confusedly in the water, as is 

 generally the case in mountainous countries, where the 

 impetuosity of the vernal and autumnal floods, washes 

 away the smaller parts of the soil, leaving only such 

 bulky and hard substances as are not easily dissolved, or 

 moved. 



Where there are holes in bridges, piers, and other old 

 buildings standing in the water, and in the sides of 

 stranded vessels, you will find very large eels ; these will 

 not always come out to a bait } but if one is artfully in- 

 troduced into the fissure, or cavity, wherein an eel har- 

 bours, he will generally take it. 



This practice is called sniggling, and is managed by 

 means of a slender switch, just stiff* enough to convey 

 the bait into the hole j the point of the hook is placed 

 slightly upon the end of the switch (or sniggling-rod} , 

 and the line is held rather tight in the other hand j the 

 bait being thus conveyed into the eel's haunts, the rod is 

 withdrawn, and the angler sits patiently in his boat, wait- 

 ing for the line being drawn further in. 



Time should be allowed for gorging j and when proper 



to 



