instrument for threshing corn.

A flail consists of the following parts. 1. The hand-staff, or piece held in the thresher's hand. 2. The swiple, or that part which strikes out the corn. 3. The caplins, or strong double leathers, made fast to the tops of the hand staff and swiple. 4. The middle-band, being the leather thong, or fish skin, that ties the caplins together.