observable in trout, that there was a multiplication of species, might find some 

 striking analogical reasons for a contrary opinion, in the natural history of the 

 flounder. In this curious fish, one side is usually coloured, the other white. But 

 we often find them coloured on both sides — white on both sides, with brown 

 patches on the white— and even with their eyes and colour on the opposite side to 

 which they are generally placed. These are far greater and more important 

 deviations than we find in either salmon or trout ; yet they are mere varieties of 

 one species. 



Of eels (murtena), we have three species in this county— the broad-nosed, the 

 .sharp-nosed, and the snig. Strictly speaking, they are fresh-water fishes ; yet, 

 whenever they have the opportunity, it is said they migrate to the sea. It has been 

 suspected, however (and as far as my own observations extend, I think with truth), 

 that a large majority of them, if not the whole, remain during winter in the 

 estuaries. Of all our fishes, it is the most susceptible of cold ; and as I remarked 

 when speaking of salmon, the mixture of salt and fresh water is warmer than 

 either unmixed. When, therefore, they reach the higher temperature, it is un- 

 likely they should pass through it into a colder ; particularly, as every-day 

 experience shows us that the sea is neither necessary to their health or propaga- 

 tion. It has been said, too, that those eels which have the means of migrating, 

 reascend the rivers to deposit their spawn. It is probable some may do so ; but 

 that great numbers of them spawn in the estuaries, or in the sea, if they penetrate 

 as far, is certain. If not, whence come those multitudes of young eels whose 

 periodical passage up the Thames is called eelf are ? Whence the transit of those 

 myriads of elvers up the Severn an<i its tributaries? Obviously the result of flsh 

 which have spawned below. Both these names, eelfare and elver, appear to have 

 the same derivation ; being compounded of eel and fare ; the latter, a Saxon word, 

 signifying to go, or travel ; and it is still retained in our language, with its original 

 meaning — for instance, in the words, "thorough/are," and " way/afcr." 



That eels did spawn at all was long denied. They were considered viviparous ; 

 and the presence of a multitude of thread-like living creatures being found in 

 them at certain seasons appeared to sanction the idea. These were not, however, 

 the young eels ; but one of the internal parasites, to which this fish is peculiarly 

 obnoxious. 



Some very odd notions have prevailed respecting the propagation of eels. 

 Pliny says they are produced from bits, separated from the parent bodies by 

 friction against rocks ; thus degrading the fish to at least a level with the polypi. 

 But Helmont favours us with a strange receipt for engendering eels, as can well 

 be imagined. He tells us to "cut two turfs, covered with May-dew, and lay one 

 upon the other, the grassy sides inward, and expose them to the heat of the sun. 

 In a few hours there will spring forth a great quantity of eels." 



Though many fables have been related of the eel travelling by land, it certainly 

 can make its way for some distance ; the singular arrangement of its gill-covering, 

 by not exposing the gills themselves to the atmosphere, enables it to live for many 

 hours out of its native element. 



