xevill The Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society 
form my own theory to account for the generally accepted fact that eels 
at all events do not occur in the Orange River. 
On the assumption that naturalists are correct in stating that certain 
species of eels never breed in fresh water, and that the adults, after once 
seeking brackish estuaries for spawning purposes, never return, I attri- 
buted the absence of eels from the upper reaches of the Gariep to the 
Great Augrabies Falls, which from all accounts should form a formidable 
and impassable barrier to the upward progress of the young fry, in spite 
of the well-known persistence and ingenuity with which they are 
credited in overcoming such obstacles in European waters. 
In fact, the absence of eels above the falls, coupled with the occasional 
occurrence of exceptionally large individuals in permanent and per- 
manently isolated pools, always seemed to me to strongly confirm the 
estuarial theory. I knew,that the sunrise and sunset theory was faulty, 
being founded on wrong and imperfect data, for I have a distinct 
boyhood’s recollection of enjoying stewed eels for breakfast at the Paarl, 
presumably caught in the Berg River. I have observed the occurrence 
of fresh-water tortoise on both banks of the Orange River. Although 
there is still another explanation open, to which I shall allude later on, 
I was satisfied with my own theory. I was, therefore, very much 
surprised when, on November 17 last, I received from Alfred Harms- 
worth, Esq., Assistant-Magistrate, Port Elizabeth, an eel hooked by 
him the previous day at the junction of the Orange and Caledon Rivers. 
So far as I know, this is the first eel known to have been caught in these 
waters. Mr. Harmsworth has all his life been an enthusiastic disciple 
of Walton, and for many years, during his residence in Burghersdorp, 
has assiduously plied his rod in the Orange, Kraai, and Stormberg 
Rivers, and no man knows more about our river fish and their habits 
than he does. Recognising the significance of his catch, he at once 
sent me the specimen, which will probably be in the South African 
Museum by the time the substance of this note is brought before your 
Society. Itis accompanied by an extra large example of the ‘ Rock 
baager,’ also from the Orange River. Mr. Trimen, in his excellent and 
invaluable paper on the South African Vertebrate Fauna, published in 
the Official Handbook, gives only Clarias Guriepensis as representing 
the Siluride in South Africa. Keeping in view his remarks in the 
opening foot-note about the absolute necessity for compression and 
omission, it has, nevertheless, occurred to me that this specimen may 
represent an undescribed species, or near ally. It is by no means an 
uncommon fish ; on account of its voracity and generally small size, it 
proves almost as great an angler’s pest as the Platanna frog (Xenopus). 
It is universally known as the ‘ Rock baager,’ because, unlike its much 
larger mud-loving congener, it chiefly haunts rocky spots. Its erected 
