60 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



after nitration, there is nothing in its solution which 

 should impair the strength of any fibre, animal or vege- 

 table. It is, moreover, thoroughly waterproof. Arti- 

 ficial leathers are now made by surfacing Canton (cot- 

 ton) flannel with celluloid toughened with castor-oil, 

 which are strong, durable, and flexible, and so water- 

 proofed that one may empty an ink-stand upon the fin- 

 ished surface, wash it off at leisure, and no mark of its 

 baptism will remain. It seems to me as if no angler 

 could examine these artificial leathers, try their strength, 

 their toughness, their pliability, and their indifference to 

 creasing and water, without sighing for a line so pre- 

 pared. The probable advantages no loss of strength, 

 any fibre, absolute indifference to water and kinking, 

 and less than a day for every week now required in 

 preparation would seem to warrant quite persistent 

 trial of this compound on the part of line-makers. It 

 should be added, however, that my own experiments 

 were not successful the line was not well filled. But 

 the circumstances were very unfavorable. I could nei- 

 ther conduct the matter myself, nor see it done ; but 

 was obliged to content myself with verbal instructions 

 through an intermediary to a person who had never seen 

 a waterproofed enamelled line, except, perhaps, in a casual 

 way. Success under such circumstances was hardly to 

 be expected. 



Celluloid varnishes, which, when thinned with a proper 

 solvent, should answer the purpose, may be had in the 

 market, or the varnish may be made by dissolving scrap 

 celluloid. Amyl-acetate would be the best solvent were 

 it not for its strong banana-like odor, which soon be- 

 comes disagreeable to all and produces headache in 

 many. Acetone is, therefore, to be preferred. This 



