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THE COMMON EEL*. 



The Common Eel forms evidently a connecting 

 link, in the chain of nature, between the Serpents 

 and the Fishes possessing not only, in a great mea- 

 sure, the serpent form, but also many of their ha- 

 bits. 



It is frequently known to quit its elements, and 

 to wander, in the evening or night, over meadows 

 in search of snails and other prey, or to other ponds 

 for change of habitation. This will account for 

 eels being found in waters that have not been in the 

 least suspected to contain them. An instance of 

 this rambling spirit of the eels is mentioned in 

 Plott's Natural History of Staffordshire ; and, from 

 the following lines of Oppian, it appears to have 

 been known to the ancients. 



Thus the mailM Tortoise, and the wand'ring Eel, 

 Oft to the neighbouring beach will silent steal. 



Mr. Arderon, in the Philosophical Transactions, 

 says that, in June 1746, while he was viewing the 

 flood-gates belonging to the water-works of Nor- 

 wich, he observed a great number of eels sliding up 

 them, and up the adjacent posts, to the height of 

 five or six feet above the surface of the water. 

 They ascended with the utmost facility, though 

 many of the posts were perfectly dry, and quite 

 smooth. They first thrust their heads and about 



* Muraena Anguilla. Linn, 



