ON RAPID STREAMS. 97 



rod, and make the whole rod flexible throughout 

 its whole length, in every part and particle pro- 

 portionally and continuously, not interruptedly 

 stiffened and at intervals broken in flexure by the 

 intervention of the inelastic, inflexible brass. 



The materials of which our rod is to be com- 

 posed should be for the butt, ash ; and this an 

 especially good piece, straight in the grain, hav- 

 ing no knots, light and well-seasoned. Provided 

 the .wood be light, never fear having the spear end 

 of the butt too large. It is very advantageous to 

 have a large butt, that the tapering may be gra- 

 dual throughout the whole rpd. Many prefer 

 hickory for the butt it is usually lighter than 

 ash, but it tends to make a rod too limber, and 

 gives it too much action in the butt. Then, for 

 the second part (if the rod is composed of only 

 three parts), I think lancewood forms perhaps 

 the best ; and for the top (which from its great 

 length will be found very difficult of construction), 

 lancewood may form the lower fifth or fourth ; 

 and cane split, and in short pieces, the remainder. 

 The lancewood employed in such a rod must be of 

 a very superior quality, of pale colour, hard tex- 

 ture, and light in weight. Lancewood often is 

 heavy and dark, and this will be found tough, but 

 not so resilient as the light whiter wood, which 

 should be very springy, easily bending, but as 

 easily regaining a perfectly straight line. The rod 

 we have now considered will be found very springy, 

 rather stiff, but very commanding ; having great 

 power in the central parts, and in its action bend- 



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