384 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



ly at the point of the Ness at Strom ness, where they may 

 be picked up by dozens. It has been observed as far north 

 as Greenland, as well as on the southern shores of England. 

 It sheds its spawn in February, and feeds on small shells 

 and marine insects. It is chiefly used as bait for other fishes. 

 This species very much resembles the L. Montagui, with 

 which it is likely to be confounded, but in the latter species 

 the dorsal and anal fins are unconnected with the caudal. 



III.— APODES. 



Ventral fins wanting. 



Family VIII. ANGUILLID^. Body very much 

 elongated, eel- shaped ; scales scarcely apparent. 



Genus ANGUILLA. Dorsal commencing considerably 

 behind the pectorals, and forming with the anal a caudal ; 

 lower jaw longest. 



Anguilla acutirostris.* — The Sharp-Nosed Eel. 



Specific Characters. — Snout sharp ; gape extending to beneatli the 

 middle of the eye ; the distance before the dorsal about one- third of 

 the entire length. 



Description. — From a specimen thirty inches in length. From the 

 point of the snout to the base of the pectorals, about one-ninth of 

 the whole length, and one-third as far as the origin of the dorsal. 

 Colour of the back as far as a little below the lateral line, dark olive ; 

 belly yellowish- white ; pectorals dark. Snout sharp, compressed at 

 the sides. Teeth small and closely set, placed in one row on the 

 sides of each jaw, and in many rows in front ; under jaw longest ; 



* Anguilla acutirostris, Yarr., Jen. Murcena anguilla, Linn., Penn. 

 Anguilla vulgaris, Flem. 



