THE EEL. 143 



in some measure by keeping much to the bottom of 

 the water, where its thin, flat body and duller colour 



THE FLOUNDER. 



are little perceptible. It seldom weighs more than 

 i lb., though instances of much greater weight are 

 recorded. 



The family of the Murenidae or Eels (order 

 Apodal, or without ventral fins), contains three or 

 four different species in this country. 



The common Eel (Anguitta acutirostris) is so 

 universally known as to require little description. 

 Although it is quite a fresh-water fish, yet it, when 

 inhabiting a river, emigrates towards the mouth in 

 autumn, and lives in brackish water. They are caught 

 on the Thames in their descent towards the mouth of 

 the river by means of an " eel-back," which is the 

 technical name for a structure of wicker baskets, 

 supported on a wooden frame. Each basket is 

 open at the end which is opposed to the descent 

 of the stream. The fish, when swimming down, 

 enter these baskets, and are unable to get out 

 again. Londoners are very partial to this fish, which 



