402 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



to find out whether any more eels would get into this place 

 should the original occupants be taken away, I, by means of a 

 hook and strong gut-line, at different times pulled out the 

 whole five. They took the bait readily, but it was rather 

 difficult to hook them, as they held it for some time across 

 their mouth without swallowing, after the manner of pike. I 

 observed that these eels were more shy than those I had taken 

 in lochs and rivers, but in excellent condition. They were 

 never replaced, however, during the time that I had the op- 

 portunity of watching. The trout remained unmolested, and 

 seemed also to thrive. 



During sultry weather the eels often rested the lower part 

 of their bodies on the mud, and raised their noses to the top 

 of the water; when in this position they -had a very serpent- 

 like appearance, and might have been easily mistaken for 

 snakes. I never saw this done by eels before ; but, if noticed 

 in the like attitude by a Loch Lomond sage, it might perhaps 

 account for one of the three wonders ascribed to that water 

 viz., fish without fins, waves without wind, and a floating 

 island. 



