THE TAG-TAIL AND WATEH-WORM. 237 



fit for ground-bait, and should never be used on 

 the hook when any of the foregoing worms can 

 be procured. 



The tag-tail, called by some the turnip-worm) is 

 a small-sized one, red about the head, and yellow 

 towards the tail. Generally speaking, it is not a 

 good worm. It answers best in spring, and when 

 the water is a little discoloured by rain. They 

 are easily found about turnips, potatoes, cabbages, 

 and in any strong, clayey cultivated soil. They 

 may be used as soon as found, and that is their 

 chief recommendation. 



The water-worm is a good general bait. Captain 

 "Williamson speaks very favourably of it, saying, 

 " It is an admirable bait, and is ready for use as 

 soon as taken, being beautifully clear, lively, and 

 of an excellent medium size for most kinds of 

 fishes. It is of a clear bluish white, or, occasion- 

 ally, of a very light purple, growing more red 

 about the head. By turning up the long slimy 

 moss which grows on weirs, &c., over which the 

 water does not always run, especially when the mill 

 is going, and which is rarely covered more than 

 one or two inches deep by the passing water, this 

 kind of worm may often be found in great 

 numbers Fish seize it with avidity ; no doubt, 

 from being more habituated to it, by the quantity 

 which, when the rivers are much raised by rains, 

 &c., is washed out of the moss into the falls 



