THE BRITISH ANGLER'S LEXICON. 



Air Bladder or Swimming- Bladder is intended 

 to aid fish in ascending deep water, and for the accommo- 

 dation of their specific gravity. It diminishes or increases 

 according to the pressure exercised upon it by the ribs. 

 It is of various sizes and forms, and is situated under 

 the spine, in the abdomen. The air contained in it consists 

 of nitrogen, and is formed by secretion. In some fish, 

 such as soles and other flat fish, and eels, it is entirely 

 wanting, as they exist chiefly at the bottom of the water. 

 Isinglass of the finest kind is made from the air bladder. 



Alevin is the name given to the newly hatched-out trout 

 during the period of it having the yolk sac attached to it, 

 and which amounts to about two-thirds of the length of time 

 of incubation ; if the water is cold and falling in temperature 

 this period is lengthened. 



Alexandra Fly. This is really no imitation of any 

 living insect. The body is composed of silver tinsel, and 



the wings of the bright strands of 

 the greenest peacock herl ; some- 

 times red ibis strands are inserted, 

 and often jungle cock feathers. 

 They are made all sizes, and are 

 principally used in the South of 

 England rivers, fished well sunk in 

 the water and \vorked more like a minnow ; they kill 

 well on many lochs, and for Norway fishing they are 



