26 GUT. 



organ which secretes the silky matter for the purpose of 

 forming the cocoon. This gut-like organ is taken by the 

 extremities, and gradually extended until the requisite 

 length and tenuity are obtained, when the ends are wound 

 round wire pins fixed along each side of a board of the 

 proper width ; then exposed to dry and consolidate in 

 the air and sunshine. Of course the greater the ex- 

 tension, the longer and finer the lengths of the gut 

 will be ; while the kind known as salmon-gut is com- 

 paratively thick and short, from being less extended than 

 that used for trouting purposes. Gut of both kinds 

 ought to be as round and smooth as wire ; and for 

 trout-lines it cannot almost be too fine, provided it 

 is round and even. Gut of this description is incredibly 

 strong compared to its dimensions. I never use gut for 

 fly-fishing thicker than a fine horse-hair, and yet it is so 

 sound and strong that I will undertake to kill any fish 

 under three pounds with it by proper management, 

 I may observe that nine-tenths of the gut offered for 

 sale in the shops is flat, uneven, and of very inferior 

 quality ; and I would not accept of a waggon-load of it 

 as a gift,, especially if compelled to use it. I have seen 

 an implement similar to a wire-drawer's plate (viz. 

 a small flat steel plate, perforated with different 

 sized small holes), for the purpose of rendering 

 flat inferior gut smooth and round. This it effects 

 when the lengths are drawn through the holes in suc- 

 cession, according to the fineness required (beginning 

 of course with the largest holes first), and it is rendered 

 pleasing enough to the eye ; but though divested 



