TWISTING. 443 



push it to loosen the tie. If any difficulty arises, which is not likely with 

 good gut, draw out end A, and the whole falls loose. 



(3) By facing tailwards the end A gathers no substance floating on 

 the water, such as leaves, &c. It is manifest that this knot is absolutely 

 secure from slipping or self -cutting ; and that a little practice will soon 

 teach ready adjustment. 



TWISTING GUT FOR LOOPS OF FLIES. 



In twisting gut for loops, use an ordinary twisting machine with the 

 metal pendants about one inch apart. Cut a piece of soft wood into a 

 pear shape one inch in length, three quarters of an inch in diameter, and 

 well pointed. Make three grooves along its side, equidistant, one for 

 each strand of gut to ride in as the work proceeds. Screw the machine 

 to a mantel-piece, and knot on the three lengths of gut, which should 

 have been soaking in soft, cold water for six hours. Hook on the conical 

 lead weight sold with the machine to the loosest of the three strands of 

 gut (which have been knotted together) at the bottom. Now place the 

 "pear" point upwards about one inch from the bottom in between the 

 strands. Hold the " pear " in one hand, and with the other hand turn 



GUT TWISTING ENGINE. 



the handle of the machine eight times; then steadily guide the "pear" 

 to the top, turning away all the time. If the "pear" is moved up too 

 soon or too quickly the twist will be loose. If it is not moved quickly 

 enough the gut will break. On reaching the top, quickly take out the 

 " pear," catch hold of the weight to prevent untwisting, and with the 

 fingers give it a few extra spins ; the effect of which has to be regulated 

 along the whole length by holding the twisted gut between the finger and 



