32 FISH CULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
Mr. Pace showed some specimens of the teredo in alcohol, 
and samples of its work on wood, as well as one piece of timber 
one half which he had treated by his process, while the other 
half was in its natural state. This had been exposed under 
water for several years, and while the unprepared half was freely 
bored, the other was untouched. 
Mr. Henry STeers: The work of the teredo is the great 
pest of the ship-builder, and is a subject which I have given 
some attention. I have treated wood with several preparations, 
and once sent some piles to Florida where the docking had 
been destroyed, and a check to the boring of the “ship-worm” 
seemed most desirable. The wood which I treated was saved, 
but the expense attending its preparation was so great that it 
prevented any general use of the remedy. I have labored to | 
interest people in this question, but have found them indifferent 
to it, even where their interests were greatly at stake in it. 
Dr. TrimpBut.L: It was from the boring of Zeredo navalis that 
Brunell got the idea of his tunnel. Its engineering is perfect ; 
it bores its way and securely lines it as it proceeds. Here is 
some marble which is perforated by the larva of a fly, one of 
the Ephemeride, but instead of being bored after the manner 
of the teredo, its tunnel is accomplished by chemical action—by 
means of an acid secreted by the larva. A vessel loaded with 
marble was sunk on our coast some years ago, and upon raising 
it, it was found to be ruined. 
The following paper on the “ Reproductive Habits of Eels” 
was then read by Ropert B. ROOSEVELT: 
At the meeting of the Fish Cultural Society, held February 
27th, 1878, I read an article on the generative habits of eels, and 
then, for the first time,was made public an authoritative announce- 
ment of the discovery of their eggs, Prof. Spencer F. Baird sta- 
ting that he had received, some six weeks previous, several eels 
in which the eggs were not only visible, but so far advanced as 
to be nearly ripe for emission. ‘This statement at the time, and 
without further explanation, seemed to conflict with other well- 
ascertained habits of these fish. It went to show that they ma- 
tured their spawn in winter, when they were dormant and em- 
