MISCELLANEA. 23 



the bend. I have shown, when alluding to this 

 subject in the Book of the Pike, how great is the 

 difference in the penetrating powers of different 

 bends. Between the two extremes it amounts to 

 no less than cent, per cent. ; and yet even the best 

 of these fall below the point of efficiency which 

 ought to be attainable. Another obvious fault is 

 over-fineness in the wire, from which it results that, 

 when the point comes sharply in contact with a 

 bone or other hard portion of a fish's mouth, or 

 even on the sudden jerk occasioned by striking 

 softer material, it " springs" that is, yields by a 

 widening of the bend outwards and so fails to 

 penetrate. On the form of the shank of the hook, 

 again, depends to a considerable extent in fly- 

 fishing, the proper and even swim of the lure ; and 

 whilst the point and barb are the first portions of 

 the hook to be brought into requisition in practice, 

 it would seem that they are the last on which any 

 theoretical consideration has been bestowed. 



In the pattern of hook which is now being 

 manufactured by Messrs. Hutchinson, of Kendal, 

 under my name, and of which facsimiles with their 

 numbers are given in the annexed plate, I have 



