LINES. 39 



hooks are attached, a spreader being used for 

 bottom fishing (see Plate III, No. 4), and sometimes 

 iu another way for whiffing (see Plate IV, No. 9) . 

 Lines are also made by fishermen of horsehair, 

 and are exceedingly strong and lasting. The me- 

 thod adopted is rather primitive, viz., the tail of 

 a young colt having been procured, usually at the 

 cost of half-a-crown, the iron-gray colour being 

 preferred, it is hung up until the hair can be 

 easily pulled out. When ready the hairs are col- 

 lected and sorted according to size and length 

 and made into bundles ; the operator then pro- 

 ceeds to take about a dozen hairs, which are tied 

 to another dozen and fixed to the hook in the 

 sheaf of a block (see Plate III, No. 6), and the 

 sheaf set spinning by the hand until the hairs 

 are twisted into a compact mass ; the cord is then 

 detached and placed by the middle on the hook 

 and spun the reverse way until quite firmly 

 wound together, when it is laid aside for more 

 to be prepared in the same way. When enough 

 are ready they are carefully joined by a double water 

 knot (see plate of knots, Plate VIII, No. 9) until 

 the line is of sufficient length, when the usual snood- 

 ing and gut, &c., is attached. These lines, when 



