THE ELECTRIC EEL. 311 



swollen, but the reason of this distension seems rather obscure. In 1827, thousands of 

 Congers were seen lying dead on the shore, at Eastbourne, during a severe frost ; and in 

 January, 1855, a similar circumstance occurred on several of our coasts. 



The color of the Conger is pale brown above and grayish white below. It often 

 attains to a very great size, measuring ten feet in length and weighing more than a 

 hundred pounds. 



THE beautifully mottled MUR^NA is tolerably common in the Mediterranean, but 

 is so scarce towards the British coast that it can hardly be considered as one of the 

 true English fishes. 



In former days the Muraena was held in great distinction by epicures ; and the 

 wealthy were accustomed to preserve them in ponds built for that special purpose. 

 In these ponds the Muraena were fattened, and several of the aristocrats labored under 

 the imputation of feeding them with an occasional slave whenever an ill-fated domestic 



MUR/CNA.-Afuraa Helena. 



had the misfortune to offend them. The flesh is very white in color, and of a peculiar 

 and very delicate flavor. This fish can live either in salt oi fresh water, but appears 

 to pfefer the sea. 



The color is golden yellow in front and purple towards the tail ; and the whole body 

 is covered with bands, irregular rings, and spots of deep and pale gold, purple, and 

 brown. The dorsal fin begins a little behind the head and runs to the tail, where it 

 is united with the anal fin. Both these fins are, however low and fleshy, and not at 

 all conspicuous. The length of this fish is extremely variable ; one specimen captured 

 off the British shores measured four feet four inches in length. 



The ELECTRIC EEL is even more remarkable for its capability of delivering powerful 

 electric shocks than the torpedo, but as it is never found in the British seas it is not 

 so well known as that fish. 



The Electric Eel is a native of Southern America, and inhabits the rivers of that 

 warm and verdant country. The organs which enable it to produce such wonderful 

 effects are double, and lie along the body, the one upon the other. 



