EELS. 



89 



consists of two pairs of longitudinal bodies, situated immediately 

 below the skin, above the muscles — one pair on the back of the tail 



Fie. 76. 



Electric Eel (Gymnotus electricus). 



and the other pair along the anal fin. The electric shock may be 

 of sufficient strength to temporarily paralyze a man. ["Cases 



The Eels, Mur<enida> (Cases 23, 24), are a numerous family, 23, 24.] 

 spread over almost all fresh waters and seas of the temperate and 



Fig- 



Murcena helena. (From the coast of Europe.) 



tropical zones; some descend to the greatest depths of the oceans. 

 Some 25 species of true Eels {Anguilla) are known from the fresh 

 waters and coasts. They are known to migrate to the sea, but the 

 history of their propagation remains still obscure. Two species are 



