SALMON FLIES, KNOTS, AXIOMS, ETC. 313 



to live, i.e., before rigor mortis has set in, and the second 

 period occurs when rigor mortis has passed. 



It is incomparably better to cook and eat the fish, or 

 indeed any flesh, before it begins to stiffen. This period, 

 however, is a short one and variable in its length, depending 

 on temperature, meteorological conditions, and the circum- 

 stances attending death. 



The period during which the flesh should not be cooked 

 and eaten, that is the period when rigor mortis continues, 

 is also variable. Its duration can easily be detected by 

 handling the fish or flesh. 



A REFRACTORY JOINT. 



Owing maybe to the want of a little mutton fat, the 

 sockets connecting the different joints of the rod may at 

 times become fixed, or stuck together, and the greatest care 

 must be used in separating them, in order to avoid injuring 

 the delicate material of the rod. 



If, when you are taking your rod to pieces, you find that 

 you cannot disengage any two of its lengths, you should 

 proceed as follows : Wet one corner of your handkerchief 

 or any strip of strong linen, and opening out the end, wrap 

 it on the smaller joint of the two pieces, about six inches 

 from the socket, then bind the linen tightly round the rod, 

 the first two turns of the linen over-running its own end, 

 and thus passing this ligature tightly round and round the 

 rod, continue until the turns reach the joint. 



If the end of this ligature be now grasped in one hand, 

 it will hold the upper and smaller end of your rod firmly 

 and safely, and if the thicker joint of the rod be grasped 

 by the metal socket and twisted round, the refractory 

 joint will in most cases be easily and safely disengaged. 



If, however, the two joints of the rod are still inseparable, 

 place yet another strip of linen or your handkerchief in a 



