Slippery as an Eel. 169 



cooler or rainy weather they forsake such places for the still, 

 deep ditches. If a flush of water comes, and a little, shallow 

 stream, running from or into the main river, becomes fuller 

 than usual, there they resort in vast numbers, evidently 

 pleased with the delicious change, only to remain as long as 

 its freshness continues. 



Like many other fishes, Eels are very tenacious of life, 

 and can live a long time when removed from the water, 

 owing to a simple and beautiful modification of structure, 

 which permits them to retain a sufficient amount of moisture 

 to keep the gills damp and in a condition to perform their 

 natural functions. They have been seen crawling over con- 

 siderable distances, somewhat snake-like in their movements, 

 evidently either in pursuit of water, their own dwelling-place 

 being nearly dried, or in search of some running stream in 

 whose waters they may reach the sea after the customary 

 manner of their race. Multitudes of Eels, both old and 

 young, some of the latter scarcely six inches in length, 

 have been seen crawling up the banks of a creek, apparently 

 without any purpose, and over the smooth surface of a pro- 

 jecting rock, with all the ease of a fly moving over a ceiling. 

 So active were the little ones as to defy, unless the hand was 

 moved with extreme rapidity, their capture. Vast numbers 

 of these little Eels are in the habit of proceeding up the 

 rivers in the spring-time. In some places in England they are 

 called Elvers. They are caught in immense quantities, and 

 scalded and pressed into masses termed Eel- or Elver-cake. 

 When dressed these little Eels afford a luxurious repast. 

 Towards the latter part of summer these fishes migrate 

 towards the sea, being capable of living in fresh or salt 

 water with equal ease, the mouths of rivers constituting 

 favorite localities. Even in our seaport towns and marine 

 watering-places the common river Eel is caught by those who 

 are angling in the sea for fish. 



Various modes of capturing Eels are adopted by man. 

 Bobbing, or clodding as it is sometimes called, is a very 



