— 81 — COUNCIL -MARCH 1920 -APPENDIX 



differ in different countries. A decision on the point would have to be arrived at 

 by the Council. 



Thus we take the liberty of suggesting that the Council should take up 

 this question for consideration. 



(Signed) K. A. Andersson. 



Appendix VII. 



Report on the Eel Investigations. 

 (By the Danish Commission). 



Since the last Report on Eel Investigations (Second Report on Eel 

 Investigations, Vol. XXIIl Rapp. et Procès-Verbaux, December 1915), a large 

 amount of material has been collected in order to elucidate the age and growth 

 of the fresh water eel (Anguilla vulgaris). This material is till now only partly 

 examined. 



Moreover, .investigations of the occurrence of the eel larvae in the Atlantic 

 have been continued from various Danish vessels of the Royal Navy as well as 

 of the commercial fleet. A report (Stations in the Atlantic 1911^ — 1915), with a 

 map, gives the situation of the stations. Dr. Schmidt's publication ("On the early 

 larval stages of the Fresh-water Eels (Anguilla vulgaris)") has been based on 

 these observations. It gives the series of development of the larvae of the Euro- 

 pean and American Eel. From this and the accompanying plates it will be seen 

 that we have succeeded in tracing the development of these two species so far 

 back as to be able now to place before you a complete series of the development 

 of the eel from the size of 8 — 9 m/m to the full grown larvae of 75 m/m and their 

 metamorphosis stages to elvers. 



Of this new material, collected from Merchant ships, however, till now only 

 the description of the developmental history and the aspect of the larvae has been 

 published. A more detailed report regarding the appearance of the larvae in the 

 Atlantic and conclusions as to the destination of the breeding places of the eel 

 has been deferred till the results of a new Atlantic expedition are to hand. 



The object of this expedition is to carry out a systematic oceanographical 

 research of the North Atlantic, with special regard to hydrographical as well as 

 biological research of the various water layers from the surface to the bottom. 

 The research of the bottom fauna will only be held in second rank. 



Originally our idea was to carry out the expedition as a continual cruise 

 of one year's duration. Various circumstances, however, have entailed the desira- 



11 



