310 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



II. FAMILY OF EELS (Muranida). 

 I. Conger (Conger vulgaris). 



Names. Haaf-eel, cungyr or hunger, Mor Lysowen, and 

 Cyngyren, Welsh. 



Eel-shaped. Cleft of mouth deep, reaching to beneath 

 the eyes ; jaws even in front. Eyes of moderate size. 

 Anterior nostril tubular ; the posterior opposite the antero- 

 supero angle of the eye. Teeth. In the maxilla and 

 mandible, in several rows, one of which are so placed as to 

 give a single cutting edge ; canines absent ; vomerine teeth 

 extend backwards almost to the end of the tongue. Fins. 

 The dorsal commences above the end of the* pectoral, is 

 well developed, and, as well as the anal, is continuous with 

 the caudal. Pectoral more than half the length of the 

 head. Colours. Superiorly pale brown, becoming lighter 

 on the sides, and white beneath. Dorsal and anal fins 

 margined with black. 



Varieties. Thompson mentions a dark-coloured form, 

 which frequents rocky ground, and does not average above 

 half the weight of those taken on soft ground. Generally 

 the colour varies with the ground on which it resides. In 

 1876, one of about 20 Ib. weight, of a lead colour approach- 

 ing to white, was brought in from the deep sea and placed 

 in a large wicker basket in the sea close to land. In six 

 weeks it was as black as it possibly could be. In some 

 there is a deficiency of the upper jaw or snout ; the dorsal 

 fin is frequently deformed, the anterior portion being 

 deficient or malformed, or it may be almost absent as far 

 as the tail. Occasionally, due to some accident or violence, 

 the tail is found to terminate abruptly without any fin. 



Habits. The conger prefers deep water, as up to about 



