192 BACTERIA IN DAILY LIFE 



ledge concerning the character of the poison con- 

 tained in eel serum. 



Now the venerable Izaak Walton, in one of his 

 quaint and most fascinating discourses, which 

 although written more than two centuries ago 

 have a freshness as if penned but yesterday, 

 waxes enthusiastic over the eel, and supplies an 

 elaborate recipe for its preparation for the table, 

 telling us " it is agreed by most men that the eel 

 is a most dainty fish ; the Romans have esteemed 

 her the Helena of their feasts, and some the queen 

 of palate-pleasure." The announcement that the 

 blood of eels is poisonous will hardly, despite its 

 scientific interest, form a comfortable subject for 

 reflection to the modern votaries of this novel 

 Helena. Indeed, in the present timid temper of the 

 public, this article of diet would not improbably 

 share the ill-odour which befell the unfortunate 

 oyster and be practically banished from our tables ; 

 but although the oyster is perhaps justifiably at 

 present ostracised from our menus, taking the 

 majority of its breeding-grounds into considera- 

 tion, it would be the height of injustice to measure 

 out similar drastic treatment to the eel. 



That the oyster bred in sewage-contaminated 

 beds may revenge itself upon its consumer by 

 infecting him with the germs of typhoid has been 

 repeatedly contended, but that the eel, although 



