346 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



World, exhibiting certain variations, it is true, but none of a 

 specific value. 



The other species, which he considers as belonging to this 

 genus, are the A. marmorata and the A. mowa of the Indian 

 seas, and the A. megalostoma of Oceanica. 



Of the genus Co?iger he allows but four species; namely, 

 the C. vulgaris, balearicus, mystax, and acutidens, the first 

 two of which he regards as cosmopolite, and found simul- 

 taneously in almost all waters. 



The variations in the external appearance of the true eel 

 he thinks are produced in large measure by peculiarities of 

 the ossification of the bones. In some the bones are in a 

 cartilaginous or rachitic state, from which results a shorten- 

 ing of the jaws, or other deformations that produce a special 

 impression upon the external appearance of the animal. 

 Other variations are produced in both the conger and the 

 true eel by the extent of albinism and melanism, special 

 features appearing in each. 6 B, November 2, 1874, 988. 



LARGEST PIKE EVER TAKEN IN ENGLAND. 



Mr. Buckland, in Land and Water, acknowledges the re- 

 ceipt of what he considers to be the largest pike ever taken 

 in England, weighing thirty-five pounds, and measuring three 

 feet ten and a half inches in length. From the best evidence 

 he could gather, this was one of the survivors of a small 

 number of pike, weighing about one pound and a half each, 

 which were placed in Ripley Lake some twelve years ago. 

 The roe weighed three and a half pounds, and contained over 

 43,000 eggs. 2 A, October 24, 1874, 320. 



HABITS OF EELS. 



In view of the many points that still remain to be ascertain- 

 ed in regard to the life history of the eel, a recent communi- 

 cation published in Les Mondes may not be without its in- 

 terest, however doubtful some of its statements may be. 

 According to the writer, M. E. Noel, a certain fish -warden 

 near Rouen, has observed that at about the end of Septem- 

 ber the large eels leave the sources of all the rivers and de- 

 scend toward the salt water, at which time they are covered 

 with a much thicker coat of muddy mucus than usual. They 

 do not go down entirely to the sea, but stop in brackish wa- 



