Flies and Hooks. 107 



The shape of the point, including that of the Ibarb, is 

 next considered. Easy penetration is here the desidera- 

 tum. A needle will penetrate more readily than a brad- 

 awl. The point should be conical that it may enter easily, 

 as in A in the following figure; and long, that a fairly 

 prominent barb may be given without making the hook 

 " hollow-pointed," as in M. 



Fig. 10. 



It needs no argument to show that much less force will 

 bury the point A beyond the barb than will be required 

 by the point B for that purpose, while the difference in 

 holding power is not material if the hook is otherwise 

 properly constructed. 



Next, the wire should not be cut over one third 

 through in forming the barb. This is a most common 

 fault, particularly in "hollow-pointed" hooks. If then 

 the point comes in contact with a bone, or if a powerful 

 fish wrenches upon it, the point is apt to break off at the 

 cut. It is far better to have a smaller barb that will 

 stand up to its work, than a larger one which is pretty 

 certain to fail the moment a really good fish is fastened. 



Next, the hook should be deep on the barb-side. The 

 play of the fish should be away from the point of escape 



