GEN. CONGER. COMMON CONGER-EEL. 263 



nostrils are larger, and the mucous pores about the 

 lips larger and more conspicuous; both jaws rounded 

 at their extremities, the lower one the largest ; 

 teeth larger and stronger than in the common sharp 

 nosed species ; gape large ; the angle and the pos- 

 terior edge of the eye on the same vertical line ; 

 * Jie pectoral fins, the commencement of the dorsal 

 in, and the vent, are each placed nearer the head 

 than in either of our fresh- water Eels. The general 

 colour is olive-green above, passing by a lighter 

 green to yellowish white below." He further shows 

 that the five first cervical vertebrae are destitute of 

 the lateral spinous process which is possessed by 

 the other two. The Snig, moreover, roves about and 

 feeds during the day, which other Eels do not. It 

 is considered excellent food, and seldom exceeds 

 half a pound in weight. 



Gen. XCI. Conger. — Most of the generic char- 

 acters of Anguilla are likewise exemplified in Con- 

 ger, but the latter is readily distinguished by the 

 dorsal commencing nearly on a line with the hinder 

 extremities of the pectorals, and forming, by uniting 

 with the anal, a pointed caudal fin. Several species 

 are known in the Mediterranean and other seas, but 

 the only one that visits our shores is 



(Sp. 195.) C. vulgaris. Common Conger-eel ; 

 which occurs pretty frequently all around Britain 

 and Ireland. It is a large fish, sometimes exceeding 

 ten feet in length, and weighing upwards of a hun- 

 dred pounds, but its ordinary dimensions are from 

 five to seven feet. It is entirely a marine species, 



