178 APPENDIX. 



Wax, hard. If at any time the angler finds his wax to 

 be too hard and brittle, and experiences a difficulty in waxing 

 his silk with it, he should add a couple of drops of oil to 

 a lump about the size of a hazel-nut, and work it up well 

 with his fingers ; this will make it soft and pliable. 



Oil for hooks, fyc. Oil used for preserving hooks, swivels 

 &c., from rust should be boiled, so that if there be any water 

 in it (as is frequently the case), it evaporates in the steam 

 and the oil is purified. If this is not done, the hook-points 

 will often suffer from rust, in spite of the oil. " Book on 

 Angling." 



Ferrules, to disengage. When any metal work of this 

 kind has become strongly fixed, instead of employing oil to 

 loosen it, use creosote ; this is so very volatile and penetrat- 

 ing that it will find its way easily when oil is quite useless. 

 " Book on Angling" 



Gimp, to stain. Bright brass gimp is very easily seen by 

 the fish ; to discolour it, soak it in a solution of bichlorate of 

 platinum mixed with water (one of platinum to eight or ten 

 of water), then dry before the fire. The solution must be 

 very weak, as it is so powerful that it destroys the gimp very 

 quickly." Book of the Pike:' 



This being so, then I should say, use copper gimp instead 

 of brass for your nights and live-bait tackles ; copper gimp, 

 being duller, requires no staining. 



