Vol. XXVII. 

 1911 



1 Kershaw, Migration of Eels in Victoria. 199 



the side, and then, more often than not, drop or slide back into 

 the water. Occasionally one would succeed in projecting 

 itself almost clear of the water, when, after a short rest, it would 

 draw the latter half of its body up into an S-shaped curve, and, 

 using it as a fulcrum or support, would stretch itself further up, 

 and, getting a fresh hold, draw its tail up again as before. 

 Those in a glass vessel could not proceed further than the 

 distance gained by the sudden impetus, owing to the smooth- 

 ness of the glass ; but others kept in a large wooden tank 

 would often climb some distance. It w^as noticed, however, 

 that to succeed in climbing any distance the surface must be 

 moist. In several instances one or more of the " elvers " 

 were found adhering to the sides of the tank quite dead. They 

 had climbed a short distance up on to the dry surface, and, 

 the moisture becoming absorbed, or, more possibly, the slimy 

 secretion with which they are covered drying up, they were 

 apparently unable either to proceed or detach themselves. 



It is well known that eels are extremely voracious. In con- 

 finement I observed that they will occasionally attack one 

 another, and on several occasions noticed one swimming about 

 with the tail of one of its smaller companions half-way down 

 its throat. 



Eel-fares are not such rare occurrences in Victoria as was 

 supposed, for we now have reliable evidence of their taking 

 place in the Hopkins, Barwon, and Moorabool Rivers in the 

 Western District and the Xarracan Creek in Gippsland, where 

 they have been observed on several occasions. 



Being anxious to witness an eel-fare, and, if possible, obtain 

 a photograph of the " elvers " in the act of climbing, I arranged 

 with some personal friends in Gippsland to notify me when one 

 was in progress. On nth January last Mr. S. Dickenson informed 

 me that on the previous day the elvers were climbing up the 

 Xarracan Falls in hundreds. I visited the spot on the following 

 day, and was grievously disappointed to find they had all dis- 

 appeared. I searched the stream both above and below the 

 falls for some distance, but failed to find any. I remained in 

 the locality over the next day, and visited the falls repeatedly, 

 and finally followed the stream for about 6 miles without 

 success. What had become of them ? Had they gone back 

 agctin down stream ? I had heard of their sudden disappear- 

 ance in the event of very wet weather, but on this occasion it 

 was hot and dry. I have every confidence in my friend's 

 veracity, and he informed me that when he saw them two days 

 prior to my visit they were clinging to the vertical faces oi 

 the rocks at the falls in dozens. The falls are about 30 feet 

 high, and form a formidable obstacle to the progress of the 

 eels. 



