SHARP-NOSED EEL. Ai 



BUOAU NOSfiU-EEL. 



The haunts of Eels are quite as variable as the weather. In warm, still weather, 

 seek them on the rapids and near weeds either waving on the surface of the water or in 

 floating masses of detached weeds that the eddies of the stream have wound and kept in 

 one place. In blowing, cooler, or rainy weather, then look for them in the still, deep 

 ditches. If a flush of water comes, and a little shallow stream running from or into the 

 main river becomes fuller than usual, then let all the capturing gear be set to take them 

 on, to them, this delicious change of ground, for against this stream they will work as 

 long as it is freshened. In one night, in a Uttle stream of this sort, I took thirty pounds 

 weight of Eels." 



Like several fishes which have already been mentioned, Eels are very tenacious of 

 life, and are able to live for a long time when taken out of water, owing to a simple but 

 beautiful modification of structure, which retains a sufficient amount of moisture to keep 

 the gills in a damp state and able to perform their natural functions. These fishes have 

 been seen crawling over considerable distances, evidently either in search of water, their 

 own dwelling-place being nearly dried, or in quest of some running stream in whose 

 waters they might descend to the sea after the manner of their race. 



At the Dargle, near Dublin, I have seen multitudes of little Eels crawling up the 

 banks, and have been much amused by watching them wriggle themselves, without any 

 apparent purpose, over the smooth surface of an overhanging rock, to which they clung 

 and upon which they moved as freely as a fly on a ceiling. These little Eels were about 

 eight or ten inches in length, and were so active as to escape the grasp unless the hand 

 was moved with extreme rapidity. 



Vast multitudes of these little Eels are in the habit of proceeding up the rivers in the 

 springtime, and in some places are known as Elvers. They are caught in great quantities, 

 scalded and pressed into masses termed Eel, or Elver cake. When dressed, these little 

 Eels afford a luxurious repast ; and before dressing, the' effect of the myriad tiny black 

 eyes that speckle the macaroni-like mass of white bodies is most peculiar. 



Towards the latter end of summer, the Eels migrate towards the sea, and it is found 

 that these fishes can live either in fresh or salt water with equal ease, the mouths of 



