51 
months of the year up to May or June, or even later; during 
this period the banks of the river being in places black with 
these migrating little fishes. * 
These young Eels have been observed to ascend flood gates 
of locks, to creep up water pipes or drains; in short, mechanical 
difficulties scarcely obstruct them; they will even make a circuit 
over a wet piece of ground in order to attain a desirable spot. 
But these Hel-fares have been so fully described that further 
remarks upon them seem to be unnecessary ; neither do I propose 
giving an account of the life history of Hels or the laws which 
have been enacted for their preservation or destruction, as the 
case may be. 
from six inches in length, called Elver-boults, (still ascending on September 
4th, 1886.) The next variety, from six to ten inches, are termed Snigs ; 
when still larger they are called Putcheon Eels. Eels four or five to the 
pound go by the name of Stick-Eels ; and if of half a pound as Shutlings ; 
all upwards of this weight as Eels. The first Eels that descend in June are 
‘ Stick-Eels ;’ the smaller forms only migrate up-stream. In August and 
September the ‘Stick Eels’ and ‘Shutlings’ arrive ; and during September 
and October the large Hels descend seawards. The foregoing are irrespective 
of forms which always remain in the river, and are called Glut-Eels; their 
heads are very large, they are of a dark colour.” 
* A member present/at the meeting observed that three tons weight of 
elvers had been sent from the Gloucester district inland in one day in May, 
1886, and that these are made into elver cakes. As Mr Sxaty, of Bridge- 
water, (April, 1869) proved that it took 14,087 of these fishes to make a lb., 
or upwards of three millions to the ton, the injury thus inflicted on these 
fisheries must be serious. While we are told by the “ Inspector of Fisheries,” 
1885, that “‘ the present consumption of Hels in London may be considered 
to be at least 1650 tons a year, witha value of £130,000; of these about 
1000 tons are imported from Holland, and worth rather more than £80,000, 
that 450 tons, annually, with a value of £58,500 were from Ireland, 50 tons, 
valued at £6,500 from Scotland, and 20,000 lb. every week or ten days from 
Germany. 
E2 
