290 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



The natural history of the eel is still shrouded in consider- 

 able mystery. It is not clearly known where, when, or how they 

 spawn. In October and November the eels descend the rivers in 

 vast shoals to the brackish waters or the sea, and are caught in 

 eel nets or basket traps. In the spring, in some rivers, young eels, 

 three or four inches long, ascend the rivers in myriads, surmounting 

 the weirs, &c., by crawling up through the wet grass at the edge 01 

 over the moist rock. 



Every one is familiar with the appearance of the eel, but every 

 one does not know that in spite of their smooth slimy skin, they 

 have scales, which are very small and beneath the outer skin. 



The reader will, of course, understand that eels cannot be gene- 

 rated from horsehairs thrown into the water, as some people even 

 yet believe. 



As few fish for the eel for sport, it is not necessary for me to add 

 anything to Walton's directions for fishing for it. 



Eels will go out on the grass on damp warm nights, and deep 

 into the mud in cold weather. 



THE FLOUNDER 



is not a sporting fish, but it is caught in great numbers in the 

 Welsh Dee, twenty miles from the sea, the bait being a worm. 



THE CHARR, 



of which there seem to be several species, is of the salmon family, 

 and is only locally distributed. It is very rarely caught, and, except 

 during the few days on which it spawns, it inhabits the deepest 

 parts of the lakes. 



THE GUINIAD, 



which is of the same family, only inhabits a few lakes, and is 

 caught by the net. 



