ORIGIN OF THE SILVER EEL. 31 



state, and these eggs pass through several 

 changes in a period of about two years, 

 before their inmates have eggs themselves, 

 but the original caterpillar changes into a 

 chrysalis, and comes out in a short time 

 a beautiful red butterfly, and, as far as I 

 can see, has no connection with its own 

 class, although I have closely watched them 

 during the remainder of the summer. The 

 eel frequents our rivers and lakes, eating 

 what comes in its way, and has none to 

 provide for but itself. If in a locality where 

 food is abundant, it is always fat and in 

 good season, which is not the case with 

 spawning fish. 



5. The migratory habits of the eel is the 

 next point worthy of notice. It takes place 

 in the autumn. At this season they begin 

 to come down our rivers, some scarcely 

 two ounces in weight, others many pounds. 

 Allow me to offer a few remarks concerning 

 this variety in the size of the eel. I re- 

 member in my early researches there was 

 a marsh on the south side of my father's 

 farm, about a mile in length, which emptied 

 itself into a small rivulet, which ran 

 round the northern side, as a boundary. 



