106 



be plainer ; but this did not take place in all positions, and except at such 

 times it had a decided advantage over the others, and even at its worst it was 

 at no great disadvantage. . . . [This, it will be observed, agrees so far 

 with my own small experiments.] 



The fact that the sun was obscured did not seem to destroy the advantage 

 of the uncolored gut between the hours mentioned [i.e., for the five middle 

 hours of the day] ; but, except with a rain sky, at other times uncolored gut 

 was far inferior to all the others except the black ; indeed, it was at times 

 difficult to say which of the two was the most obtrusive, both being visible 

 the entire length of the tank. The difference in the appearance of uncolored 

 gut can be attributed to nothing but the direction in which the light falls on 

 the water. When the sun is perpendicular, or approximately so, it seems to be 

 at its best ; while as the rays fall more and more obliquely on the water, it 

 becomes more and more conspicuous. 



A light coffee color (obtained by infusing the gut in a strong decoction 

 made by boiling red onion-skins in water) almost equalled the uncolored gut at 

 its best, while apparently far less dependent on the direction of the light. For 

 general use at all times, particularly over a light-colored bottom, I incline, 

 (says Mr. Wells) to think it one of the best of colors. If, however, leaders 

 of but one color are to be used at all times, unquestionably that color should be 

 a light shade of ink-dye that given by " Arnold's Writing-fluid " diluted with 

 an equal quantity of water. This always and at all times gave a good result, 

 while it took the first place in merit oftener than any other one color. Over a 

 neutral tint (copperas and logwood) of as nearly as possible the same shade, it 

 had quite a decided advantage. It was at its worst in the middle of the day. 

 A pea-green strand also gave an excellent average. Though it could at times 

 be seen when some of the others could not, it was never obtrusive. I believe 

 this would have given better results had it been a shade or two lighter in tint. 

 For meadow-brook fishing it should be excellent perhaps unequalled. 



The foregoing experiments, it will be observed, relate exclu- 

 sively to clear water ; with " bog-water " the results were almost 

 exactly reversed. 



4 ' All the lighter coloured leaders were here at a decided disadvantage, the 

 uncoloured gut being the most visible, while the black was least so, and this 

 irrespective of the time of day, and sun or shade. The dark olive and darker 

 neutral tint gave almost, but not quite, as good results, and in the order named. 

 No leader could be seen through more than three and a half feet of water. The 

 uncoloured gut was invariably the first to appear, closely followed by both of 

 the coffee-coloured. I had supposed," says Mr. Wells, " the latter would prove 

 excellent in brown water, but such was by no means the case, since at all times, 

 and under all circumstances, these were nearly as objectionable as the un- 

 coloured, and far more so than the other light colours. The pea-green was the 



