460 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [4] 



In order to solve this question satisfactorily a larger number of eels 

 would have to be examined. It would be wrong, however, to conclude, 

 from the fact that male eels are found in rivers, that eels can propagate 

 their species in rivers. Both male and female eels do not fully develop 

 in fresh water, and only reach their full maturity in the sea. 



The difference in the percentage of males in different parts of the 

 Baltic is a strange phenomenon, 11 in one and 44.52 in the other. It is 

 possible that we have to look for the spawning places of the eels in those 

 waters where males are found in such large numbers ; and here inves- 

 tigations should be carried on all through autumn. 



The catching of such small eels as are required for these investigations 

 is, however, attended with considerable difficulty. The fishery law pro- 

 hibits the catching of eels measuring less than 35 centimeters, and 

 even those measuring 35 to 40 centimeters are rarely seen in the market. 

 As a general rule the fishing apparatus is not at all adapted to the catch- 

 ing of such small eels. In Cumlosen I had special eel baskets or traps 

 constructed of fine wicker-work. A similar apparatus will be required 

 in other places, if we wish to obtain light on the many dark points in the 

 life of the eel. 



The spawning places of the eels, towards which their migrations doubt- 

 less tend, will be the places where fully matured eels can be found, and 

 from the direction in which the eels migrate the location of the spawn- 

 ing places can probably be ascertained. 



Mr. Ballmer, superintendent of fisheries in Schleswig, who has regu- 

 larly supplied me with eels .from the Schleswig coast, writes me that he 

 intends to make a thorough investigation of this coast with special refer- 

 ence to the eel^ question. 



Mr. Dalhner writes : " In October and November many eels are caught 

 in wicker baskets in the Little Belt and near Flensburg and the Island 

 of Alsen. As these baskets are of course placed with, the opening in 

 the direction from which the eels come, this opening must indicate the 

 direction in which the eels migrate, and if the position of the baskets in 

 the different localities were marked on a map the course of these migra- 

 tions could easily be ascertained. With this view I have drawn a map 

 of the German side of the Little Belt and the Flensburg-Alsen waters, 

 and have transmitted it to Mr. Hinkelmann, superintendent of fisheries 

 at Flensburg." 



If this attempt is followed by good results, Mr. Dallmer thinks the 

 German Fishery Association should publish maps of all the German 

 coasts where eels are caught, and have them filled out in the manner 

 above indicated by competent persons. This proposition is thoroughly 

 practical and promises success. 



Both in the North Sea and in the Baltic eels are only caught near the 

 coast, but never in the open sea. A man thoroughly acquainted with 

 our western coasts, who at the same time is a very close observer — Mr. 

 Decker, superintendent of fisheries at Blankenese — says in a letter to 



