40 SALMON FISHING 



that all culms, of any particular kind of bamboo, 

 are of equal value, or even suitable for fishing- 

 rod making. There are a few districts, however, 

 which manufacturers have discovered, that produce 

 very fine and tough kinds ; but this knowledge, 

 which has only been obtained after great ex- 

 pense and many years of research, is naturally 

 guarded very jealously. 



Although these plants are grown in such vast 

 quantities, it is very difficult indeed to procure 

 bamboo of a quality which satisfies the scruples 

 of the manufacturer, who has a reputation to 

 preserve. 



Plants of Dendrocalamus Strictus, the bamboo 

 commonly (although not exclusively) used for 

 rod-building, are called by the trade "Calcutta 

 rods," and are described as male and female. 

 The so-called male is much thicker in the walls 

 than the female, and is largely used for lance- 

 shafts, for which it is very suitable. The female, 

 however, is finer in the cell- structures, and con- 

 tains more siliceous matter in the tissues, hence 

 it is more suitable for rod-building. 



The distinction "male and female" is an 

 error, and only indicates the strength and thick- 

 ness of the culms. The plant has hermaphrodite 

 flowers like most other grasses. 



These bamboos are frequently crooked, and 

 green or yellowish green in colour, according to 



