232 APODES, 



union of three considerable streams, Rockaway, 

 Long-Pond, and Ramapough creeks, until a 

 canal, some years ago, was cut around the great 

 falls at Peterson, no eel was ever seen in the wa- 

 ters above. Since that work was completed, the 

 water abounds with them, distinguished for size 

 and quality. He further remarks, that in the 

 spring, elvers or young eels are seen in immense 

 numbers, ascending these streams. 



Eels, in olden times, were believed to be either 

 hermaphrodites, impregnating themselves, or else 

 they sprung spontaneously from the mud, by solar 

 influence. Oppian describes the generation thus : 



" Not thus conchs, eels and polypi embrace, 

 Nor purple lampreys rear their embryo race, — 

 In selfish coils, hermaphrodite they sit, 

 And their own power, the vital spume emit, — 

 Which, gradual diopp'd on sands or slimy mud, 

 A silver offering renders to the flood." 



Mr Jesse says that he has been informed, upon 

 the authority of a nobleman, that if an eel is found 

 on land, its head is invariably turned towards the 

 sea, for which it is always observed to make in the 

 most direct line possible. If this information is 

 correct, and there seems to be no reason to doubt 

 it, it shows that the eel, like the swallow, is pos- 

 sessed of a strong migratory instinct. 



We can ourselves partly confirm this statement, 



