233 



The China line I allude to, is sold in small circular 

 bundles, running from thirty to forty ^jards > though 

 some are shorter.: t> particular in observing, that it is of 

 the twisted .sort, composed . of three strands or threads j 

 for there is -another kind made up in the same form, 

 which is all of one twist, .and does not answer, as it opens 

 in the water : this last kind is, however, when chosen of a 

 proper thickness, very good for the first string of a violin* 



Both kinds are made of white silk, and are of prodi- 

 gious strength. Care should be taken to open the skein 

 completely to its whole length ; suffering it to lay on the 

 grass, &c. to get out the extra twist j also rubbed gently 

 with, a bit of soft flannel, &c, it makes an admirable light 

 feekline j capable of subduing a .fish of twenty pound* 

 weight, under fair circumstances. 



Before I conclude this article I must remark, that the 

 I arid bites best about sun-rise, and sun-set, in warm 

 weather $ that he will not touch a bait in general, when 

 a cold wind blows, except there is a fresh in the water j 

 and that unless your baits are very neatly set on, notwith- 

 standing his swinish similarity, he will seldom bite at all, 

 You mast not expect them to bite freely before the frosts 

 Are entirely gone, and the spring well advanced. 

 - In taking this fish out of the water, beware of the 

 stiff ray, or spine, on his dorsal or back-fin ; and if you 

 are disposed to serve him up to table, give directions, 

 or rather see, that the roe be thrown away j else those 

 who do not know its baneful effects may eat of it. The 

 karlel is best baked, with a rich pudding in his belly : it 

 is, indeed, one of those fishes that depend entirely on a 

 goocl sauce. 



