THE EEL. 



277 



with the exception of two paws similar to a dog's, that they 

 carry in front, to scratch their way in the mud, to avoid their 

 enemies. 



A friend who lives in the northern part of the state of New 

 York, says he has observed two descriptions of fresh water 

 Eels. " One having a small sharp head, tapering out very nar- 

 row towards the mouth, being larger according to their weight, 

 and thicker through the middle than the common Eel. They 

 generally inhabit clearer water, and are more frequently found 

 above waterfalls. Their flesh is a lighter color, having more 

 the appearance of fat pork. They are also much better, and 

 when boiled or fried are a great relish." The other description 

 has a larger head, wider mouth, the lower jaw projecting beyond 

 the upper ; they are largest through the gills, and taper to the 

 tail ; their flesh of a bluish color, and not as palatable as the 

 former description. " All Eels are spawned in the ocean ; the 

 young ones commence running up rivers and smaller streams the 

 latter part of April or beginning of May. They are then about 

 the size of large needles ; they go up along the shores and the 

 edges of streams, and also up wet rocks near waterfalls, and 

 over mill-dams, by exhausting the atmosphere under their 

 bodies, then by raising their flat tail over, with or above their 

 head, exhaust the atmosphere under that, and raise their head 

 again ; in this way they ascend the swifter streams, and reach 

 the remotest lakes, except those above Niagara Falls, which 

 they are never known to ascend. They select deep still water 

 with soft bottom, and hibernate where old deep channels are 

 filling up ; at this time they are taken through the ice, or in 

 boats with spears. They are in much better condition at this 

 time than in summer, and offer more inducement to the angler 

 with the spear, than when taken in that season with pot or line. 

 They never spawn in lakes or rivers. Take them there as 



