THE FAMILY OF EELS. 325 



denominated a gland, with conspicuous blood-vessels; by the 

 action of which the air is secreted into the bag. 



It may be deserving of notice, further, that while the common 

 name of the Eel is of Anglo-Saxon origin, the word Fausen 

 was anciently used for it, as it was also by Chapman in his 

 translation of Homer. Junius also, in his "Dictionary Nomen- 

 clator Octolinguis," 1619, says, "Fausen, prsegrandis fausen, 

 Eels;" which appears to confine the word to the larger examples; 

 "Minime, Grigs, media ScafHing dicitor." Skinner also and 

 others thus explain the word, and Hilpert says "Fausen — der 

 meeraal" — the Sea-Eel or Conger. — "Notes [and Queries." 



