32 modern practical angler. 



Hair. 



Horsehair cannot be used with advantage for any- 

 kind of fishing-line. I have already explained its in- 

 convenience when employed in the reel, or running-line ; 

 and employed as a substitute for single gut it is equally 

 a mistake, the latter being both finer, stronger, and, 

 when stained as directed, much less visible in the water. 

 This process of staining gut in fact takes away from hair 

 the one real advantage it ever possessed, viz., that of not 

 glittering in the water. It is a peculiar feature of hair 

 that it will break on a long-continued strain, even though 

 the actual weight be gradually rather lessened than in- 

 creased. A strand of gut that will fairly lift a 5 lb. 

 weight will commonly suffice to keep it suspended, if 

 necessary ; hair on the contrary will break in a few 

 minutes on a strain less than that which it originally 

 supported with ease. The best hair is obtained from the 

 tails of stallions. 



Staining Hair. 



Stained hair is seldom used, the natural brown colour 

 being usually preferred. Before it can be properly stained 

 the greasiness must be removed by what is termed by 

 dyers a " mordant." A good mordant for the purpose, as 

 well as for the dyeing of feathers, is obtained by dissolving 

 about a quarter of an ounce of alum in a pint of water, 

 and slightly boiling the hair or feathers in it 



