88 



Though all the Sand Eels I saw were about the same size, 

 viz., 3 to 3J inches, I have been told by others who saw them 

 on the beach that there were many in the pools considerably 

 larger, some of them even the length of about 15 inches, but the 

 larger ones did not appear to have been numerous. 



In all cases it appears that the Sand Eels are driven into shallow water 

 pursued by blackjack, codling, sea-trout and other fish. When they get into 

 shallow water they burrow into the sand. The following may be suggested by 

 wav of explanation of the enormous destruction. After the retreat of the tide, a 

 great increase in the temperature of the sand offers a solution in one case. But 

 probably and most frequently the heavy death rate is due to the Sand Eels being 

 prevented from getting back to sea by waves breaking upon the beach, and 

 disturbing and churning up the sand to such an extent as to knock the fish about 

 and stun them. 



A similar observation is recorded in Day's " British Fishes." A.M. 



