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Another useful invention of Mr. Jardine's is the " Pike Gag," 

 for forcing and fixing open the jaws of the fish whilst extracting 

 the hook. This will often save the troller being " let blood in 

 the fingers," as an old author puts it. About an inch of the 

 handle-nob has had to be cut off in the engraving otherwise a 

 facsimile, J real size on account of the exigencies of space. It 

 still, however, remains a ' majestic torso,' and has a sort of thumb- 

 screw, torture-chamber aspect, calculated to strike terror into the 

 bosom of the biggest Essox that ever swam. 



The left hand figure shows the gag closed, in which position 

 the two prongs are inserted between the jaws. The prongs and the 

 jaws are then extended to any length or width desired by pulling 

 up the " spring-rachet," as seen in the figure on the right. 

 The hooks may then be disengaged lt comfortably " i.e., to the 

 troller. 



The Cut represents a useful Pike-tackle case, for artificial 

 baits, traces, floats, minnows, &c. 



