THE BROAD-NOSED EEL. 387 



that they are viviparous. But it has been now sufficiently 

 proved by Mr Yarrell that the generation of these fishes is 

 effected in the ordinary course of nature, and that they are 

 oviparous. 



Eels are said sometimes to attain to the length of six feet 

 three inches. They are very abundant in the Firth of Forth, 

 as well as in every river and streamlet which enters it. 



Anguilla latirostris,* — The Broad-nosed Eel. 



Specific Characters. — Snout broad and rounded ; gape extending to 

 beneath the posterior part of the orbit ; the distance before the dor- 

 sal, more than one-third of the entire length. 



Description. — From a specimen three feet in length. The distance 

 from the point of the snout to the base of the pectorals, about one- 

 seventh of the entire length. Colour of the back of a dark olive ; 

 belly yellowish- white ; pectorals dusky green (the whole fish is liable 

 to great variation as to colour). Dorsal fin commencing, at a dis- 

 tance from the point of the snout, of rather more than one-third of 

 the whole length of the fish, and ending by uniting with the caudal; the 

 terminating rays rather the longest. Anal fin commencing close be- 

 hind the vent, and answering to the dorsal ; caudal formed by the 

 continuation of the dorsal and anal ; pectorals rounded, the middle 

 ray equalling the length of the gape ; gill-opening small, situated in 

 front of the lower portion of the base of the pectorals. Head rather 

 flattened ; jaws broad and rounded ; the lower one the longest ; teeth 

 small, closely set, placed in many rows in each jaw. Lateral line 

 not very apparent ; a few mucous pores about the head and throat, 

 and over the pectorals ; scales verj' small and adherent, deeply im- 

 bedded in the skin ; the whole surface of the body covered with a 

 thick mucous secretion ; ventral fins wanting. Number of fin rays — 



P. 17 ; D., A., and C. 480. 



In the Firth of Forth, the Broad-nosed Eel is less fre- 

 quently met with than the Sharp-nosed species, but in 

 other respects their habits appear similar. 



" Ansmlla latirostris, Yarr., Jen. 



Bb2 



