164 LOB-WORMS. 



As a general rule, clear, well scoured middle-sized, 

 or rather smallish worms will always be most freely 

 taken ; and those of a red or yellowish colour will find 

 most favour with the fish ; while the large ugly fellows, 

 with dark blue or lead-coloured heads, will be regarded 

 with a similar gastronomic feeling as a boiled boa- 

 constrictor would be by a company at the " Star and 

 Garter." 



The first I shall notice is the Lob, Dew, Twatchel, 

 or Garden Worm. It is found in two states the young 

 worm, without a knot in its body, and often called the 

 red worm and squirrel-tail ; and the old mature worm, 

 with a thick knot or band a little above the centre of its 

 length. The former is the best for the angler's purpose, 

 and has a red head, a continuous wavy red streak down 

 the back, and a broad, flat, yellowish tail. This worm 

 is not only the commonest, but, when at full maturity, 

 the largest of its class, occasionally attaining a length of 

 one foot when fully extended. Those of two and a half 

 and three inches in length form the best baits. They 

 are commonly abundant in garden mould, or in any 

 rich loamy soil containing a liberal quantity of decay- 

 ing vegetable matter, and may be caught at night in 

 any quantity by going stealthily over short grass 

 meadows or garden grounds after a shower, with a 

 lantern and candle. Numbers will be found feeding 

 upon decaying vegetable matter over the surface, their 

 bodies extended to their full length, while their tails re- 

 main within the mouths of their holes, to which they 

 withdraw with the quickness of thought on the least 



