144 LAKES AND RIVERS. 



is rank, oily, and doubtless very nourishing. But it 

 appears that large quantities of eels are imported 

 from Holland, and have been so for at least three 

 hundred years. They are, as is well known, extremely 



EEL-BACK. 



tenacious of life, and are known to leave the water 

 and travel to a considerable distance on land. They 

 will even climb over high objects which obstruct 

 their progress. They have a curious pouch or bag 



THE EEL. 



containing water, which they use to moisten their 

 gills, and in this way prolong their lives when on land. 

 This is so remarkable a peculiarity that, were the Eel 



