i88 BROAD-NOSED EEL. 



subject to vary, not only in colour but in slight structural peculiarities. Any one who has 

 seen the great numbers caught in the Eel traps, as, for instance, at Toome Bridge, County 

 Antrim, and has had opportunities of noticing them, must have observed considerable difference 

 amongst individuals in the form of the snout ; in very many cases the snout is much pointed, 

 in others less pointed, and not unfrequently the nose is almost obtuse. Hence some naturalists 

 have regarded individuals with differently formed snouts as forming distinct species ; which 

 have been described as "Sharp-nosed Eels" {A. acutirosfris), "Middle-nosed Eels" [A. 

 vicdiorostris), and "Blunt-nosed Eels" {A. latirostyis). This difference in the form of the nose, 

 when existing as the only characteristic, is not regarded by the greatest authority on such 

 matters. Dr. Giinther, as being sufficient to constitute specific difference. It would appear, 

 however, that there are two species of Eel, the A. vulgaris with its nasal varieties of form, 

 and the A. laiirosiris which besides being generally possessed of a very obtuse snout, has other 

 peculiarities which would entitle it to specific distinction. To these peculiarities as mentioned 

 by Giinther, I think I may add from personal experience that one of a disagreeable flavour. 

 The varieties of the Common Eel are always, when taken from good waters, most delicious ; 

 and no difference in flavour can be detected from the Sharp-nosed variety, the Middle-nosed 

 variety, and the Blunt-nosed variety of A. vulgaris when taken out 'of the same water; but 

 my experience of A. latirostris would lead me to discard it altogether as food. In a large 

 reservoir of excellent water which supplies a canal, at Knighton in Shropshire, there exist 

 the varieties of the Common Eel and the Broad-nosed species. I have seen many taken on 

 Eel-lines and trimmers of both species, and I have always found the flavour of the Broad- 

 nosed species very bad eating. 



The following is Dr. Giinther's description of Anguilla vulgaris; the essential distinctive 

 characters between this species and the other are printed in italics: — "The length of the 

 head is contained once and one half, or once and a third in the distance of the gill opening 

 from the origin of the dorsal 'fin, and twice and one third, or twice and two thirds in its 

 distance from the vent. Distance behvcen the commencements of the dorsal and anal fins as long 

 as or somewhat longer than the head. Lips narroiv : lower jaw prominent. Angle of the mouth 

 below the eye, which is rather small or of moderate size, much shorter than the snout. 

 Maxillary teeth equal and small. Tail considerably longer than the body." 



Order rV. Family 



PHJ'SOSTOMr. MUR^NIDM. 



Groiif — Anguillina. 



pROAD-NOSED JeL. 

 (Anguilla latirostris.) 



Grigs or Gluts, Pennant, Brit. Zool. iii. p. 194, ed. 181 2. 



Anguilla laiirosiris, Yarrell, ii. p. 396; Jenyns' Man. p. 474; Gun'ther's Cat. viii. p. 32. 



PENNANT speaking of this Eel says, "Besides these" (Eels which vary in colour) "there 

 is another variety of this fish, known in the Thames by the name of grigs, and about 

 Oxford by that of grigs or gluts. They are scarcely ever seen near Oxford in the winter, but 



