FOREST, LAKE, AND RIVER 



Greek words, meaning "gold" and "below," in 

 allusion to the yellowish tinge on the belly of the 

 eel, which fish, however, varies greatly in coloration 

 in individuals. As this eel is the only one found 

 in the fresh waters of New England, there can be 

 no difficulty in properly classifying it when taken 

 on rod and line. It is believed that it spawns in 

 the sea or brackish water, and that the female dies 

 after excluding her eggs. 



It was doubtful for a long period as to the 

 manner in which eels were propagated, many 

 scientists going so far as to believe all eels to be 

 hermaphroditic. It is now ascertained that the 

 process of reproduction occurs the same as in 

 many of the fishes, — the female exudes the eggs, 

 and the fertilization is subsequently caused by the 

 milt deposited by the male. It has also been 

 noted that the female eel is much larger than the 

 male, slightly paler in color, with smaller eyes, and 

 higher fins. 



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