68 FLY-DRESSING. 



towards its head or extremity. I then fasten, with a 

 single hitch-knot. The hook, &c. will appear thus : 



Having cut off the superfluous gut, I now proceed to 

 fasten on the wings. These, which lie paired before me, 

 I lift together, their heads pressed close betwixt the 

 thumb and forefinger of my right hand, and the inner 

 sides of the feather of which each happens to be formed, 

 turned face to face. 



I then place them, in their proper position, over the 

 head and shank of the hook, substituting, as I do so, 

 the corresponding fingers of the left hand, in order to 

 keep all fast. This done, I take up the portion of 

 waxed silk hanging below, and give it two, or at most 

 three turns, over the root of the feathers, gut and wire- 

 shank ; then, without fastening, bring it over, betwixt 

 the intended wings (which, if pressed together during 

 one of the above operations, so as in a manner to adhere 

 to each other, I divide with a fine point, such as that of 

 a needle or penknife), and running it below them, fetch 

 it up again, in the form of a cross. 



