MODE OF TREATING THE WORM. H5 



matter attached to their outward coating. The further 

 effect of this immersion is to cleanse partially the 

 entrails of the reptile, occasioning it to throw off what 

 imparts to the skin a dingy and ill-favoured appearance. 

 Thus washed, the worms should be allowed to crawl 

 about for a short time on a clean, dry board, with the 

 view of ridding them of all superfluous moisture. 

 When this is sufficiently accomplished, transfer them 

 into a large earthenware jar, filled, or nearly so, with 

 hartVhorn moss. 



The hartVhorn is a species of moss, well known to 

 the northern angler. It is found chiefly on moorland, 

 and in boggy places surrounded by heath. Externally, 

 on the exposed parts, it possesses a reddish tinge, the 

 stalks and lower foliage are of a pale colour, approach- 

 ing to yellow. Like many other mosses, it is found in 

 considerable clumps; the texture possesses great soft- 

 ness; and, when handled, is agreeable to the palm. 

 Although, in highly cultivated districts, difficult to 

 procure, the extreme lightness and abundant nature of 

 the plant, in places favourable to its growth, render it 

 easy of acquisition. When dry it keeps for years, and 

 the worm-fisher ought, unquestionably, always to pos- 

 sess a stock of it. He will find the common fog gene- 

 rally used in England much its inferior, although at 

 a pinch not to be rejected. Before using the hart's- 

 horn moss, let it be well washed ; the hard and whitish 

 stalks ought to be twitched off, and the red soft por- 

 tions retained. 



The worms on their transference to the moss-jar 

 still undergo the process of scouring, but along with 

 it is conjoined that of toughening, and should it be 

 thought necessary, the further one of reddening. This 

 last, I confess, for my own part, I have always deemed 



