FISHES. 231 



in length. It has only recently been discovered that Eels 

 spawn in the depths of the sea. The young were formerly 

 described under the name of Leptocephalus a genus con- 

 taining several species. One species has proved to be 

 the fry of the Conger Eel ; another, that of the common 

 River Eel. It is believed that Eels die after spawning, 

 as none but " elvers " are known to ascend rivers. Eels 

 live several years in fresh water before they attain 

 maturity and, in their turn, go down to the sea to spawn. 

 An Act of George III. (1777), refers to the taking of 

 "elvers (the brood of eels), which come up the river 

 Severn at certain seasons in immense quantities, and 

 afford great support for the inhabitants of the adjacent 

 parishes and places." 



All is Shad. The Act of George III., alluded to with regard 

 Clupea alosa. to Eels, is made for " the better Preser- 



vation of Fish, and regulating the 

 fisheries in the rivers Severn and Vyrnwy," and contains 

 the following: "And whereas several sorts of fish not 

 mentioned in the said Acts, particularly Lampreys, Shads, 

 and Twaits, which at certain seasons of the year come up 

 the said river in great quantities, cannot be taken with 

 nets of the length and size of the meshes limited by the 

 said Acts, to the great prejudice of the proprietors of and 

 other persons interested in the said fisheries on the said 



river, and also of the public " The Shad is closely 



allied to the Herring but is much larger, and is distinguish- 

 ed from it by having one or two dark blotches on the sides. 



Twaite Shad. A smaller fish, of similar habits to the last, 



C.finta. and to which the same remarks will 



apply. It is distinguished by the gill 



