ON E YED-HOOKS. 35 



it is the longest, to form a wing (for a dun on a 

 o hook a little more than an eighth of an inch, 

 and for other sizes in proportion), and lay these 

 two wings on the table, taking care not to separate 

 the fibres, or, what is technically called, " break the 

 wings." Place them with the natural inclination 

 of the fibres towards the tail-end of the fly, and 

 the cut side of the plume nearest to you. With 

 the forefinger of the right hand, slightly moistened, 

 pick up the wing for the side of the fly furthest 

 from you, with the darker side (i.e. the one on the 

 outer side of the bird's wing) downwards ; lay this 

 wing along the forefinger of the left hand. Simi- 

 larly, pick up the other wing with the outer side 

 upwards, and lay it on the wing already placed on 

 the left forefinger, taking care to keep the points 

 evenly one on the other. Place the left thumb 

 on the points of the wings, and take them by 

 the stump-ends firmly between the right thumb 

 and forefinger, at the same time gently coaxing 

 any disarranged fibres evenly into position with 

 the left hand. Apply the pair of wings to the 

 upper side of the hook, over and close down to 

 the turns of tying-silk previously made in the 

 middle of the hook-shank, judging the position 

 so that the wings when attached will just reach 

 from the neck of the eye to the bend of the 

 hook. 



Practice alone will enable the operator to do this 

 accurately, and it is well to note that the invariable 



