DYES, HORSE HAIR, 41 



before, to cold water. After you have washed it, shake 

 off the superfluous moisture, and allow the hank to dry 

 thoroughly, before laying it by. Silk-worm gut, I may 

 here remark, when in the hank or considerable quan- 

 tities, should be wrapt up lengthwise, in a piece of 

 chamois leather, which keeps it in much better trim 

 than paper does. The following are the recipes for the 

 dyeing of this material : 



1. An azure, or neutral tint, 1 drachm logwood, 6 grains copperas. 



2. A pinkish azure, ... 1 drachm logwood, 1 scruple alum. 



3. A dingy olive, .... ditto, adding 3 scruples of quercitron bark. 



4. Light brown, .... 1 drachm madder, 1 scruple alum. 



These being the proportions of the materials, the 

 water can be applied to suit tastes. Immerse the gut 

 fully a minute. 



HORSE HAIR, LINES, &c. Before the introduc- 

 tion and general use of silk-worm gut, I can readily 

 understand how valuable a really good selection 

 of this article must have been to the angler. In- 

 deed, judging from the specimens that, from time 

 to time, have come under my notice of the fishing- 

 tackle used by our forefathers, I am led to the opinion 

 that there is no horse-hair to be obtained, in our modern 

 days, which, in point of roundness, length, and power, 

 at all approximates to what was employed by them. 

 This is owing partly to the practice, now in vogue, of 

 docking our stallions before the tail has had time to 

 acquire its full strength, and partly, also, to the care 

 and attention formerly exercised in the selection of the 

 article. One of the finest specimens of good horse- 

 hair I ever remember to have met with, was presented 

 to me, along with a bait hook and some red hackles, by 

 the late Mr. William Laidlaw, the friend and factor of 

 Sir Walter Scott. This and its accompaniments were 



