FISH OF ONTARIO. 49 



Suborder ENCHELYCEPHALI. 



The characters of this group are as given above. 



FAMILY ANGUILLID^. (THE TRUE EELS.) 



The true Eels are characterized by their conical head, well developed 

 opercular apparatus, lateral maxillines, cardiform teeth, distinct tongue, 

 vertical lateral branchial apertures, continuous vertical fins, with the dorsal 

 far from the head, pectorals well developed, scaly skin, and nearly perfect 

 branchial skeleton. 



The Anguillidae approach more nearly than most of the Eels to the 

 type of the true fishes. In one respect, however, that of the minute ova 

 and concealed generation, they differ widely from these. 



GENUS ANGUILLA. (EELS.) 



Body elongate, subterete, compressed posteriorly, covered with 

 embedded scales which are linear in form and placed obliquely, some of 

 them at right angles to others. Lateral line well developed. Head long, 

 conical, moderately pointed, the rather small eye well forward and over 

 the angle of the mouth. Teeth small, subequal, in bands on each jaw and 

 a long patch on the vomer. Tongue free at tip. Lips rather full, with a 

 free margin behind, attached by a frenum in front. Lower jaw projecting. 

 Gill openings rather small, slit like, about as wide as base of pectorals 

 and partly below them. Nostrils superior, well separated, the anterior 

 with a slight tube. Vent close in front of anal. Dorsal inserted at some 

 distance from the head, confluent with the anal round the tail. Pectorals 

 well developed. 



(56) American Eel. 



(Anguilla chrysypa.) 



Body much elongated, round through most of its length, compressed 

 behind; head conical, elongated; snout pointed; lower jaw longer than 

 the upper; gill openings partly below the pectoral fins, small and slit-like. 

 Scales imperceptible, deeply embedded and very irregularly placed. Lateral 

 line very distinct. Colour above olive brown more or less tinged with 

 yellowish, below grayish to pure white. Length', thirty inches. 



In our Province the Eel is only found in the St. Lawrence and Lake 

 Ontario and their tributaries, the ' Falls of Niagara forming an insur- 

 mountable obstacle to further progress inland. 



Until recently the reproduction of the Eel has been involved in mystery, 

 but the careful' investigations of competent observers have resulted in 

 showing that the Eel spawns in salt water, usually on mud banks off the 



