86 FEATHERS FOR FLIES' WINGS. 



Figs. 10-11. Are bittern feathers, which have a 



great variety of colour and marking ; 

 no finer imitation can be found for some of the 

 Sedges, &c. The fibre is soft and silky and marries 

 very well. All feathers consist of two main portions, 

 viz. : — The central quill or " rachis " from which spring 

 the fibres known as "barbs" from which in many 

 feathers branch smaller fibres called " barbules," in 

 good cock hackles the latter are absent, with the result 

 that they present only a hard glassy surface to the water 

 and float better in consequence. When these barbules 

 interlock strongly the feathers are said to " marry " well, 

 and as a consequence they make excellent wings for 

 artificial flies, not splitting up as a feather will in which 

 the barbules are less developed. 



