143 CONGER. Class IV. 



especially along the back quite to the head. 8. 

 They grow to a much larger fize. 



As to the diftinftion that Mr. Ray, and other 

 writers, make of the fmall beards at the end of the 

 nofe, we think it not to be depended on, being 

 fometimes found in both kinds, and fometimes 

 entirely wanting. 



We believe they generate like the frefh-water 

 fpecies : innumerable quantities, of what are fup- 

 pofed to be their fry, come up the Severn about the 

 month of April, preceding the Shads, which it is 

 conjectured migrate into that river to feed on them : 

 Eeverj* they are called Elvers. They quite fwarm during 

 their feafon, and are taken in a kind of fieve made 

 of hair-cloth, fixed to a long pole ; the fifher- 

 man (landing on the edge of the water during the 

 tide, puts in his net as far as he can reach, and 

 drawing it out again takes multitudes at every 

 fweep, and will take as many during one tide as 

 will fill a bufhel. They are drefled, and reckoned 

 very delicate. 



Congers are extremely voracious, preying on 

 other fifh, and on crabs at the time they have loft 

 their ihell, and are in a foft ftate. They and eels 

 in general are alfo particularly fond of carcaflfes of 

 any kind, being frequently found lodged in fuch 

 that are accidentally taken up. 



Thefe ififh. are an article of commerce in Corn- 

 wall; numbers are taken on that coaft, and ex- 

 ported to Spain and Portugal^ particularly to Bar- 



celona* 



