THE TRUE EELS 



Family VI. Angnillidtz 



"A youthful ccl resided in a tiny tidal pool; 



He was lithe as gutta-percha, and as pliable; 

 From his actions and contractions he appeared to be a fool. 

 But his virtue was completely undeniable." 



Carryl. 



THE true eels are characterized by their peculiar fine imbedded 

 scales in association with a conical head and a general resemblance to 

 the conger eels. The scales are inconspicuous, narrow and placed 

 in series at angles with each other. The Anguillidcc approach more 

 nearly than most of the other eels to the type of the true fishes. In 

 one respect, that of the minute ova and concealed generation, how- 

 ever, they differ widely from the true fishes. 



The single genus of this family is Anguilla, with one species in 

 our waters. 



Common Eel 



Anguilla chrisypa Rafinesque 



The common eel is familiar to every one who has lived in 

 Eastern North America, and who has given any attention to 

 things out doors. On our Atlantic Coast it ranges from New- 

 foundland to Mexico and Central .America, and is also abundant 

 among the islands of the. West Indies. It is found likewise 

 along the Gulf Coast. Unlike other eels it ascends freshwater 

 streams long distances, and may be found even in the head- 

 waters of nearly all the rivers of the Atlantic Coast and the 

 Mississippi Valley. It is frequently found in lakes which would 

 seem to be difficult to reach from the sea, but however great the 

 barriers appear to be, it is certain that they have not been in- 

 surmountable, and that the eels got into the lakes from some 

 connecting water. 



Tin- tvl is really a freshwater fish, whose real home is in 

 the freshwater rivers and lakes, but which runs down to salt 



76 



