THE EEL 126 



the scabbard fish ; tliose fish arc known to frequent depths of over 

 400 fathoms. During its migration the eel swims at great depths, 

 and it is difficult to say what depth it descends when it enters the 

 final stages of its rejH'oductive activity. The division of the cere- 

 bellum and the union of the tissue of the acoustic tubercles with 

 the divided stratum granulosum must be considered together. It 

 "would seem almost inevitable that the acoustic-lateralis area should 

 join up "with the inner ends of the stratum granulosum as this tissue 

 extends peripherally to the lateral margins of the cerebellum ; so 

 that tliis condition may be said to be the result of the divided cere- 

 bellinn ; further tliis division might reasonably be expected to be 

 of some value in direction finding, and the direction-memory that 

 sets the course to the Atlantic abyss and tropical trysting place may- 

 be helped and furthered by this adaptation. 



The diet of the eel varies very much with its age and the old 

 eels are not only predatory but almost omnivorous. According to 

 Tata Regan, the diet of the yellow^ eel is chiefly worms, small fish, 

 crayfish, etc. Like the sole it is a nocturnal feeder. As is well 

 known the eel ceases to feed when about to undertake its migration 

 to its breeding ground. There are other interesting facts which 

 aft'ect the brain, in association with this phenomenon, but we must 

 defer describing them until we have mentioned some recent observa- 

 tions on the pituitary gland in fish generally. 



