90 



FISH GALLERY. 



consists of two pairs of longitudinal bodies, situated immediately 

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

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

 of sufficient strength to temporarily paralyze a man. 



The Eels, Mur(Bnida; (Cases 23, 24), are a numerous family, 

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



Fig. 77. 



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 migrate to the sea for the purpose 

 of breeding, and, as only recently discovered, the young undergo 

 remarkable changes before assuming the adult condition. Two 

 species are found in Great Britain, A. vulgaris and A. latirostris. 

 The Congers {Conger) are marine Eels, differing from the preceding 

 in the absence of scales; the common British species [C. conger) seems 

 to be almost cosmopolitan. The genus Murcena and its allies are 

 abundantly represented in the tropical and subtropical seas, and 

 mostly beautifully coloured and spotted. The majority are armed 

 with formidable pointed teeth, well suited for seizing other fish 

 on which they prey ; in shallow water they readily attack persons 

 who happen to disturb them in their retreat. The Mediterranean 

 species (M. helena, fig. 77) was highly prized by the ancient 

 Romans. 



i 



