390 MANUAL FOR YOUNG SPORTSMEN, 
they are whipped on the same piece of gut or gimp, at an 
interval of about half an inch clear between them. A bait- 
ing needle is required for most of these hooks, but here it is 
not necessary, as the larger hook is passed through the 
mouth and out at the root of the tail, so as to leave the 
barb free. When this has been done nicely, the minnow 
assumes a bent form, corresponding with that of the hook, 
and if properly put on, it will spin or rotate when rapidly 
drawn through the watcr. But for this purpose its mouth 
must be closed mechanically, and this is effected either by 
a leaden cap which slips down over the line, or by the sec- 
ond hook being passed through both lips, and thus holding 
them shut; or sometimes, in addition, by a few stitches 
with a fine needle and thread. Colonel Hawker recom- 
mends a hook or two to be allowed to float loosely and 
openly by the side on a stout piece of gut, but I cannot: 
advise their adoption. The usual mode of employing the 
third hook is to whip it on to a piece of gut about an inch 
lorg, and then to include this gut in the whipping of the 
second or smaller hook, which it should also match in size. 
This third hook then, lies closely adapted to the side of 
the bait, but not floating loosely, as advised by Colonel 
Hawker. The two first are applied exactly in the same 
way as when two hooks only are used, when the third will 
lie flat against the side of the bait, and retains its position 
there by the stiffness of the gut or gimp. This last form 
is used for the application of the celebrated parr-tail as a 
bait, which is much used in Scotland; and is strongly 
recommended by Mr. Stoddart, one of the highest author- 
ities on the subject. He advises all the fins and tails to 
