86 BEST'S ART OF ANGLING. 



with a hand net, by putting it under him very 

 gently, and then taking him up as quick as you 

 can. 



OINTMENTS TO ALLURE FISHES TO BITE. 



As many of my brother anglers may. wish to try 

 the efficacy of chemicals, towards increasing their 

 pastime, I here present them with a few receipts, 

 and leave them to make their trials as they please. 



Take gum-ivy, and put a good deal of it into a 

 box made of oak, and chafe and rub the inside of 

 it with this gum. When you angle put three or 

 four worms into it, but they must not remain 

 there long, for if they do it will kill them ; then 

 take them out and fish with them, putting more 

 in their places as you want them out of your 

 worm bag. Gum-ivy is a tear which drops from 

 the body of large ivy trees, being wounded, and 

 is of a yellowish red color, of a strong scent, and 

 sharp taste; that which is sold in the shops is 

 counterfeit, and good for nothing. Therefore, to 



fet gum-ivy about Michaelmas, or in the spring, 

 rive several great nails into large ivy-stalks, wrig- 

 gle the same tjll they become very loose, and let 

 them remain, and the gum will issue thereout. 



Also slit several great ivy-stalks, at the time 

 above-mentioned, and visit them once a month, 

 and gather the gum which flows from the wound- 

 ed part. This w;ill very much improve the an- 

 gler's success; Probatum est. 



Take assafcetida, three drachms, camphor, one 

 ditto, Venice turpentine, one ditto, pound altoge- 

 ther in a mortar, with some drops of the chemical 

 oil of lavender, or spike. When you angle, anoint 

 eight inches of your line with it, next your hook, 



