380 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



In June, the young are seen from two to three inches in 

 length, making their way up the fresh- water rivers in innu- 

 merable multitudes, keeping a few inches below the surface, 

 and at a short distance from the bank. No obstacle ap- 

 pears to arrest their progress. They have been known to 

 climb up posts, and to ascend into trees, and- from thence 

 let themselves drop down into the adjoining stream. They 

 have also been observed crawling over land from one pond 

 to another, and Albernus tells us, that he has known them 

 to collect together under a hay-rick, to keep themselves 

 warm, yet all perished through excess of cold. In Novem- 

 ber, December, and January, if the season be mild, Eels re- 

 descend the rivers in their passage to the sea, and are then 

 taken in great numbers in cages and other snares set for 

 that purpose ; but if the weather be cold, and the water low 

 and clear, they are found to bury themselves under the sur- 

 face of the mud, frequently at a depth of from four to six 

 inches, and there remain during the frost. After a heavy fall 

 of rain, so as to discolour the water and increase the size of 

 the rivers, these fish leave their hiding places and range about 

 in search of food ; this they do with greater eagerness dur- 

 ing the night than by day. They feed on worms, insects, 

 and carcasses, and it is a common occurrence to find in the 

 abdomen of a dead cat or dog, which has remained under 

 water for a week or more, several pounds of Eels. 



A most extravagant idea was entertained amongst the 

 ancients, as regards the generation of eels. Aristotle be- 

 lieved that they sprang from the mud ; Pliny that the 

 scrapings of their bodies which they left on rocks, were 

 animated and became young eels ; other ancients supposed 

 that they sprang from grass, horse-hair, and carcasses of 

 animals ; Helmont believed that they came from May-dew ; 

 Rondelet says they couple after the manner of serpents, and 



