134 ANECDOTES OF FISHES 



seen ascending the large posts of the flood gates 

 in order to make their way. When the gates 

 have been shut longer than usual, those which 

 die stick to the posts, others which get a little 

 higher meet with the same fate, so that they form 

 a layer for the passage of the rest, a curious in- 

 stance of their migratory disposition. Near 

 Bristol there is a large pond, and OP the bank 

 between the waters there is a large tree growing, 

 the branches of which hang down into the pond ; 

 it is by means of these branches that the young 

 eels ascend into the tree, and from thence let 

 themselves drop into the stream below ; a friend 

 of mine, who was a casual witness of this circum- 

 stance, assured me that the tree appeared alive, 

 and the rapid and unsteady motion of the boughs 

 did not appear to impede the progress of the 

 eels. Eel fairs take place in April or May, when 

 the fish go down to spawn. 



Jesse's Gleanings in Nat. Hist. 2nd Series. 



Natural History of Eels. One of the most 

 interesting investigations on fish is that of Mr. 

 Yarrel, on the generation of the eel. This vex- 

 ata qucestio, which has occupied the attention of 

 naturalists, from Aristotle downwards, has been 

 at last set at rest by Mr. Yarrel, who has proved, 

 by actual examinations and dissections, carried 

 on through eighteen months in succession, upon 

 specimens of eels procured from different parts 



