276 MALACOPTERYGII. — MURiENAD^. 



another migration of adult Eels to the sea, for 

 the purpose of spawning. Great numbers, how- 

 ever, remain in the fresh waters through the 

 winter, hiding themselves in the mud, where they 

 become torpid till the return of mild weather. 



Eels are taken in various modes. One called 

 totting is performed by cutting a hole in the 

 weeds, on a gravelly bottom, and placing a boat 

 there. The fisherman is provided with a short 

 stick, with a cord at the end, to which is at- 

 tached a bunch of worms strung on worsted with 

 a leaden plummet in the" midst of them. To 

 this curious bait, as soon as it reaches the bot- 

 tom, the Eels crowd, and suck at the worms, 

 when the tot is quickly drawn up into the boat. 

 The Eels drop oiF into the boat, the tot is 

 plunged again, and soon again comes up loaded 

 with fish. It is a nocturnal amusement, but 

 when the weather is favourable produces good 

 sport. 



In mill-waters many Eels are taken in the, 

 following way. A frame-work is fitted to one 

 of the smaller gates, to which is affixed a net 

 of very strong cord, sixty feet in length, becom- 

 ing narrower towards the extremity, where a 

 hoop-net is tied, to receive the Eels carried down 

 by the stream. When used, the other gates are 

 closed, the one in question only being left open. 

 The net must be watched, and the weeds or 

 drift wood that accumulates taken out ; the Eels 

 also must be removed at intervals, for otherwise 

 they would be crushed to death by the force 

 with which the rushing current packs them to- 

 gether. Thirty or forty stone of Eels are thus 

 sometimes taken in one night ; generally very fine 



