78 COMPLETE INSTRUCTION IN 



This treatment of the silk gland or tube of the 

 silkworm leaves a strong, fine, elastic filament, 

 which is almost invisible in water. This is why 

 it is so desirable as a fishing-line attachment. 

 This little ending of the fishing-line is what is 

 called the gut-leader. A short piece of this is 

 fastened on the extreme end of the line. Some- 

 times it is so fastened as to leave both ends free, 

 on which to fasten two hooks. When the line is 

 thrown out into the water, the gut is almost 

 invisible, and the fishes see only the bait on the 

 hook. This they bite, and are at once taken. 

 The strength of the gut is quite sufficient to hold 

 even two fish such as are caught with hook and 

 line. Most of the silkworms now raised in Spain 

 are treated in this way. The gut when prepared 

 in this manner is peddled through the streets of 

 the cities. 



The silk-gut is also used in another way. 

 When it has been sterilized, it is used in sur- 

 gery, as a suture to unite either bones or 

 muscles. It may be left in the wound till the 

 absorbents of the system carry it off, as there is 

 not the slightest danger of blood-poison. 



Note 6. 



The most advanced nations in silk-culture do 

 most to foster the silk industry among their 



