,5O OBSERVATIONS 



instead of pins, and the links should consist 

 of twelve hairs. It is a matter of little con- 

 sequence where they are laid, for they will 

 succeed in streams as well as still waters. 

 Eels rove about in the night, especially in 

 streams, in search of prey, and there is scarce 

 a bait but they will take; such as frogs, 

 black snails, worms, roach, dace, gudgeons, 

 bleak, minnows, loaches, pieces of lamprey, 

 and millers' thumbs. The following is the 

 best method of taking large eels. Having 

 made a sufficient quantity of links of twelve 

 hairs, double them and tie a small strong 

 hook to each link, (the common small barbel 

 Iiook is best for this purpose) having an 

 equal number of strong whipcord lines about 

 twelve or fifteen yards each, which have 

 been used and are soft, such as old trolling 

 and barbel lines ; fasten one end to a small 

 stake of ash or hazel, about a foot long and 

 pointed at one end, make a noose at the 

 other end of each line large enough to admit 

 a dace or gudgeon, and fasten a bullet about 

 3 foot from the noose; take the links and 



