MISCELLANEA. 2? 



I defy any man to fairly wind in a heavy fish 

 with a multiplying reel. It is the old mechanical 

 principle again of losing in power what is gained 

 in speed ; and a reel that gives four turns of the 

 axle to one of the handle, loses exactly one-fourth 

 of its strength for each turn that is, has one- 

 fourth only of the direct power of a check-winch. 



Beautiful reels for all kinds of fishing are now 

 made on the check system ; some of plain brass, 

 some of brass stained black, some for the sake of 

 lightness of wood and metal combined, and some 

 which are lighter than either, of aluminium. The 

 saving in weight thus secured by the two last- 

 named materials is very considerable, and they 

 therefore present advantages to men who are not 

 strong, and who may find the weight of a Salmon 

 or trolling rod and reel tell upon their muscles, but 

 for ordinary work and taking the chances of wear 

 and tear and knocking about, I should give the 

 preference to simple stained brass. Moreover, a 

 heavy reel balances a long rod better than a light 

 reel. 



Within the last few years a considerable im- 

 provement has been introduced into the form of 



