Plies a/nd Fly-fishing. 397 



neither could be seen before, and the distance noted with 

 such remarks as seemed appropriate. Then they were 

 moved to and fro upon the surface of the water, and the 

 relative excellence of each written down. 



Subsequently a square brass frame was constructed, 

 corresponding in size to the cross section of the interior 

 of the tank. Each end of the upper edge was provided 

 with an extension, which rested on the upper edge of the 

 tank and retained the frame where placed. Across this 

 frame silkworm gut of various colors was stretched, like 

 the bars of a gridiron. This frame, bearing the gut to be 

 tested, was at first placed perpendicularly in the tank and 

 parallel with the ends, and the visibility of each strand 

 was noted. Then it was moved six inches nearer to the 

 observer, and the result again recorded; and so on, mov- 

 ing the frame but six inches at each step, until all could be 

 plainly seen. The frame was then returned to the start- 

 ing-point, and the lower end raised until it was about 

 two inches below the surface of the water, in which 

 position it was secured by a wire hook. The frame was 

 then supported upon the extensions to its upper edge, 

 which rested on the rim of the tank, and the wire hook 

 sustaining the lower edge. Since the upper edge was 

 above the surface of the water and quite close to it, it 

 was invisible, and the various strands of gut appeared to 

 enter the water and lie at quite an acute angle with it. 

 The intention was to reproduce as nearly as possible the 

 position ordinarily assumed by that portion of a leader 

 to which the tail-fly is attached. Ten different colored 

 strands were stretched upon this frame and compared, 

 viz. : black, dirty olive-green, pea-green, dark, medium, 

 and light neutral tint (copperas and logwood), ink-dye, 

 darker and lighter coffee colored, and un colored. The 



