THE EEL. 89 



takes place, it is conjectured, in the same manner as among the 

 snake tribe. The eggs are, of course, more or less numerous in 

 different fish. It sometimes happens that the female eels disem- 

 barrass themselves of their eggs before they are hatched ; but this 

 must occur very seldom, because it has never yet been clearly 

 ascertained where, in such cases, the eels deposit them." 



Now this, which is an abridgment of the more elaborate account 

 of a French author, seems to be a plain and rational account of the 

 matter, and is, in all probability, not far from the truth.* 



Eels increase in numbers most prodigiously ; they will also reach, 

 a very large size. In Italy a magnificent country for the angler 

 they; are taken, it is said, of the weight of twenty pounds. In 

 Albania, they are stated to be occasionally ^as thick as a man's 

 thigh ; and some writers have affirmed that in Prussia they have 

 been sometimes caught ten or twelve feet in length. We have 

 ourselves often seen them in France of five and six pounds. 



The eel is a fish of very slow growth ; but, as a set-off against 

 this, he seems to be endowed with the gift of very long life. 

 Writers on fishing commonly limit him to a period of five or six 

 years ; but a French author, who speaks with the greatest confi- 

 dence on the subject, says, " Experience has proved that the eel 

 will live for a century. How otherwise can the prodigious increase 

 of these animals be explained, since it can be demonstrated that 

 the females do not breed before they are twelve years old ? The 

 eel increases until his ninety-fourth year. Each female, therefore, 

 can produce during a period of eighty-two years and this satisfac- 

 torily accounts for the enormous quantity of eels to be found in 

 the waters which are adapted for them." 



The eel is exceedingly voracious, and a most indiscriminate 

 feeder. Nothing can be too delicate, and few things too nasty, for 

 his ravenous appetite. Many instances of their voracity have been 

 recorded from time to time; and many wonderful stories told about 

 the size, migrations, and miraculous powers of the fish. 



This fish is no great favourite with the angler. On the table he 

 is delicious, but not a very pleasant affair to take off a hook. 



Those who like angling for eels must use strong tackle. A stiff 

 rod, a strong line, and a large hook, are indispensable : a large 

 red dew-worm will complete the^equipment. 



The eel requires considerable indulgence when he bites ; but, as 

 everybody who can brandish a rod knows how to fish for him, we 

 have only to suggest that as soon as he is pulled put of the water, 

 whether big^ or little, the angler should stamp his foot across his 

 body, hold his line tight with one hand, and witn the other cut off its 

 head. This is the only way to prevent the slippery rascal from tying 

 the line full of knots, and twisting it inextricably round his body. 



* The late Bishop of Norwich, Dr. Kay, read a paper to a scientific society not 

 long ago on this subject. He had noticed 'little eels in the thatch of a cottage; and 

 the ce inferred that the spawn had been deposited on the reeds before they had been 

 cut, and vivified into life by the sun's rays. 



