ii4 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX. 



Clupea finta, Cuvier. TWAIT SHAD. 



This is occasionally common in the Colne. Many were 

 taken by the Smelt fishermen in August, 1886, and one was 

 caught on November 29th, 1886, at East Bridge, Colchester, 

 which point is the tidal limit. Jenyns says (Brit. Vert. 

 Animals, p. 438) it is very abundant in the Thames. 



Family MUR^ENID^, Mulkr. 



Genus ANGUILLA, Willugh. 



Anguilla vulgaris, Turton. EEL. 



This fish is found in all our Essex rivers. Dr. Day, in his 

 work on The Fishes of Great Britain, so frequently quoted in 

 these pages, has conclusively shown that the numerous forms 

 of Sharp-nosed, Broad-nosed, and Snig-Eels are only varieties 

 of this species, which is the only Eel inhabiting fresh waters 

 at least, for a part of its existence. It seems, at first sight, a 

 mystery how isolated pieces of water can have become stocked 

 by this fish ; but, if we remember that the " Elvers/' or young 

 Eels, are always moving up stream, following even the smallest 

 trickling to its source, the explanation becomes comparatively 

 easy, since there are very few ponds that do not at some time 

 or other overflow, and the slightest stream is sufficient for 

 these tiny wanderers. 



The well-known capability also of the larger Eels to wriggle 

 over considerable distances of land through wet grass or 

 other herbage must not be forgotten, although this, as far as 

 my experience goes, more frequently occurs when the pools 

 are drying up. 



One instance, I remember, where the water in a large ditch, 

 form ng part of the fence of a garden, had nearly evaporated. 

 By the help of a little dog, I caught in the grass several large 

 Eels, which were evidently on their way to the brook, some 



