310 



CONGER. 



Conger, Jonston; pi. 4, f. 7. 



WiLLOUGHBY; p. Ill, Table G 6. 

 MurcBua conger, Linn.^us. 



Murene congre, Lacepede. Donovan; pi. 119. 



Conger vulgaris, Cuvier. 



Yareell; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, p. 402. 

 Anguilla conger, Fleming; Bi'. Animals, p. 200. 



" " Jenyns; Manual, p. 478. 



The Conger is one of the commonest fishes in the sea that 

 flows round the United Kingdom, from the border of the 

 tide to at least a depth of fifty fathoms; but we have no 

 evidence to shew that it has ever wandered into fresh water, 

 although the large size, even above sixty pounds, which has 

 been ascribed to an example of the Eel, already referred to, 

 might lead to a suspicion that such has been the case. It 

 is not numbered by Fabricius among the fishes of Greenland, 

 but it is found along the coasts of Europe, and in the Island 

 of Madeira, as also in the northern states of America; but 

 those of the Mediterranean are said to be smaller than such 

 as are met with in the open ocean. 



Congers appear to have favourite haunts, from whLh few 

 of them wander far; but there are times, according to the 

 seasons, in which they are more abundant than at others, 

 and it has been noticed that in November and December 

 those of a black colour, which always keep near rocks, are in 

 abundance, so that a fisherman Avho fishes nearest the rocks 

 is the most successful; at which time we suppose the assembling 

 to be for the purpose of depositing their spawn. But it may 

 be caused also by tL^ varying hab'.ts of inertness and activity 

 to which they are liable according to temperature, and 

 especially as they are influenced by the direction or violence 



