270 ANGLING. 



Their snake-like aspect and other reptile attri- 

 butes, no doubt tend to form and perpetuate the 

 prejudice which many otherwise humane-minded 

 men cherish towards these insidious fishes. They 

 move about on land with great facility, and with a 

 motion resembling that of serpents. They have 

 even been seen to leave fresh water lakes during 

 the night in considerable numbers, apparently for 

 the purpose of preying on slugs and snails among 

 the dewy herbage. They abound in many con- 

 tinental rivers, and are caught in immense numbers 

 in those which empty themselves into the Baltic, 

 where they form a considerable article of trade. 

 It is stated that 2000 have been caught at a sweep 

 in Jutland, and 60,000 have been taken in the 

 Garonne by one net in a single day. Cambridge- 

 shire is still famous for its eels, and the isle of Ely, 

 according to some authorities, was so called in con- 

 sequence of its being the place from whence the 

 Kings of England were anciently supplied with 

 these fishes. " Here I hope," says old Fuller in 

 his Worthies, " I shall not trespass upon gravity, 

 in mentioning a passage observed by the reverend 

 professor of Oxford, Dr. Prideaux, referring the 

 reader to him for the author's attesting the same. 

 When the priests in this part of the country would 

 still retain their wives, in despight of whatever the 

 pope or monks would doe to the contrary, their 

 wives and children were miraculously turned all 

 into eels (surely the great into Congers, the less 

 into Greggs), whence it had the name of EELY. 

 I understand him, a LIE of EELS." 



