24 



are to be preferred, and ought to be picked 

 with care, and assorted according to theii 

 different degrees of length and thickness. 



For common /oo^ lines an engine is not 

 necessary, as they are easily made by separat- 

 ing the hairs with the fore finger and thumb 

 of the left hand, (having first fastened them 

 by a knot) and twisting them with the right, 

 occasionally drawing the hand downwards 

 to prevent the untwisted hairs from entang- 

 ling. Taper lines of any length or thick- 

 ness, from two hairs upwards, may be 

 thus put together, fastening each length 

 of hair to its companion by a water knot^ 

 the ends of which should be cut close, and 

 secured by a little waxed silk. When a 

 very strong line is required, it may be 

 adviseable to make use of the twisting-engine, 

 which will enable the practitioner to com- 

 plete his purpose more readily and effectu- 



r 



ally than with the fingers only. 



