THE EEL 165 



organic life, so that the absence of Eels is not 

 surprising. 



Readers who are interested in the biology of 

 the Eel should consult the following recent memoirs, 

 the last two of which contain references to the litera- 

 ture of the subject : — 



(i) C. G. J. Petersen, "The Common Eel gets a 

 Particular Breeding Dress before its Emi- 

 gration to the Sea," in Report of the Danish 

 Biological Station for 18(^4., Copenhagen 



(1896). 



(2) K. J. Gemzoe, "Age and Rate of Growth of 



the Eel," in Report of the Danish Biological 

 Station for igo6. Copenhagen (1908). 



(3) J. Schmidt, " Contributions to the Life-History 



of the Eel," in Rapp. du Conseil Internat. 

 pour l^ Exploration de la Mer^ v. Copen- 

 hagen (1906). 



(4) J. Schmidt, " On the Distribution of the 



Freshwater Eels throughout the World," 

 in Medd.fr. Konimission.f. Havundersogels. 

 Fiskcri, iii. Copenhagen (1909). 



The flesh of the Eel is rich and nutritious, but 

 sometimes considered indigestible ; Silver Eels are 

 generally preferred to Yellow Eels for the table. 

 In some countries, Scotland for example, there is 

 a prejudice against Eels as food, but in most places 

 where they occur the fisheries are highly valued. 



