262 MALACOP. APODES. EEL FAMILY. 



(Sp. 193.) A. latirostris. Broad-nosed Eel, The 

 habits of this species, as far as ascertained, differing 

 in no respect from that just described, we have only 

 to notice its principal marks of distinction. Gf 

 these the most observable is indicated by the name, 

 the snout being depressed and comparatively large, 

 the nose broad and rounded. The skin is said to be 

 much thicker than in A . acutirostris^ and feels more 

 soft and unctuous. It is the variety mentioned by 

 Pennant as known in the Thames by the name of 

 Grigs^ and about Oxford by that of Grigs or Gluts. 

 He adds that they are not so much esteemed as A. 

 acutirostris, and do not often exceed three or four 

 pounds in weight. The largest Mr. Yarrell lias 

 seen did not weigh above five pounds. This Eel 

 appears to be common, at least in England ; it 

 also occurs in the Firth of Forth, and is probably 

 not rare in other parts of Scotland. 



(Sp. 194.) A. mediorostris, Snig Eel. All that 

 we know of this supposed species we owe to Mr. 

 Yarrell, who obtained specimens from Mr. Jesse 

 and Mr. Mills. They were procured from the Avon 

 in Hampshire, where this Eel is called the Snig, 

 and is considered distinct from the other Eels. " In 

 the comparative breadth of the nose," says the au- 

 thor just named, " the Snig is intermediate in refer- 

 ence to the sharp and broad nosed Eels, but rather 

 more resembles that with the sharp nose ; it has a 

 slight but elongated depression extending from the 

 anterior edge of the upper jaw to the upper and 

 back part of the head ; the tubular openings of the 



