I20 ANGLING 



in bleedings at the nose ; and " above the eyes," says 

 an old doctor, " two little bones exist, semicircular in 

 shape, which are diligently preserved by noble females 

 against the lunitical disease." All this seems sufficiently 

 absurd at the present day. 



The baits recommended for carp are very numerous, 

 and many of them very fanciful. Pastes of all kinds 

 and colours, flavoured with cheese, sugar, honey, gin, 

 etc. ; beans, corn, flies, slugs, gentles, grubs, caterpillars, 

 and worms, are to be found in this singular catalogue. 

 In Germany, where carp abound, grains of wheat, steeped 

 in water until they swell and split the outer skin, are 

 considered tempting luxuries. A small grasshopper has 

 occasionally proved successful ; but no artificial bait 

 will ever seduce the carp. Yet, notwithstanding this 

 sumptuous array of dishes for the epicure, perhaps, 

 after all, a clean, tough red-worm, or a big bluebottle fly, 

 will be found the most generally attractive bait for this 

 singular fish. 



The rod for carp-fishing should have plenty of spring, 

 because the line must be as thin and fine as possible, 

 consistent with the size and strength of the fish. Eun- 

 ning tackle must be used for carp, as, indeed, it ought 

 to be for all fish, big or little ; and the line, which 

 should be of horse-hair, must be only three hairs thick. 

 The bottom of the finest gut should be the length of the 

 rod ; and the hook. No. 8, must be covered over with 

 the bait, shank and all. If, however, you bait with a 

 bluebottle, no matter how small your hook, it must be 

 impaled across the body, just under the wings. 



The float — you are on the whole better without one — 

 should be very small ; a bit of quill an inch long will 

 do, and the bait must rest on the ground. 



"When thus prepared, conceal yourself completely 

 behind a tree or bush ; drop your bait as gently as 

 if thistledown were falling on the water ; sum up the 

 whole stock of your patience, and calmly wait the event. 

 As soon as you see the float or line move, let the fish 

 run away a short distance, and then check him very 

 gently. All attempts at striking will be merely ridicu- 



