THE BAIT TABLE. 491 



The Dock or Flag Worm. This is a pretty little worm, 

 found in the roots of flags ; but as the red worm answers 

 exactly the same purpose, is very similar to it, and is not 

 a tithe of the trouble to obtain, I need not enter upon 

 any special directions in reference to it. 



The Blood Worm. This little worm is rather a larva 

 than a worm, and is found at the bottom of stagnant pools 

 in vast quantities, so much so as at times quite to colour 

 the bottom. It is said to be an infallible bait for roach. 

 I have never tried it, as it seems to me, from its extremely 

 small size and slender proportions, next to impossible 

 to get it on a hook at all ; however, as report notes it 

 as a good bait for roach, I quote the report for what it is 

 worth. 



The Meal Worm. This is not a worm either, being a 

 grub or larva ; indeed, it is the larva of a beetle, the 

 scientific name of which is Tenebrio molitor. It is very 

 abundant in mills and such places as large stores of flour 

 and meal are kept in. It is a capital bait for trout, and 

 no doubt for many other fish. There is no bait equal to 

 it for a nightingale, so the bird-fanciers say, but this is a 

 branch of angling I have not much knowledge of. They 

 keep easily in a little flour, and need no scouring. 



Gentles or Maggots. These are bred from almost any 

 putrefying animal matter. They are the larva? of various 

 flies. The best are those which are bred in bullock's liver; 

 and the plan is to take a piece of liver, slash it about 

 with a knife and hang it up in the sun. The large blow 

 flies collect upon it and lay their eggs in the crevices. 

 When it appears sufficiently blown, it should be taken down 

 and put in a tub or pan, and kept out of the ivay of rats, 

 cats or birds. In a few days the eggs hatch into maggots. 

 A few handfuls of bran are then added to the liver to keep 

 it cool. In a few more days the maggots will have fed 

 themselves up to their full size. They then require to be 



