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THE WORLD OF ANIMAL LIFE 



Eel 



when handled, give it a very snake-like appearance; and the 

 people of some parts of our country so firmly believe that it is a 

 snake, that they refuse to eat its flesh. It is, however, a true fish, 

 for it is provided with gills, is covered with very minute scales, 

 possesses true fins, and has a two-chambered heart. 



In most parts of Great Britain eels are very abundant, living 

 in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and even ditches. We do not very 

 often see them, for during the greater part of the year they lie 



principally in the mud 

 at the bottom of the 

 water, and appear to 

 travel chiefly by night. 

 But on warm, still days 

 in June and July they 

 are fond of rising to 

 the surface in weedy 

 spots, and basking in 

 the rays of the sun. 

 While so engaged we may frequently see them snapping at the 

 various small insects which fly near the surface of the water. 



Eels occasionally leave the water, and travel some distance over 

 dry land. In this way they pass from one pond or ditch to another. 

 Their gills are modified in such a way that a quantity of water is 

 stored up in a little reservoir, by which the gills can be moistened 

 from time to time, so that respiration can be freely carried on 

 even when the animal has left the water. Nevertheless, they 

 carefully select a damp night for their terrestrial migrations. 



Towards the end of summer, eels which live in rivers migrate 

 towards the sea. Many reasons for this proceeding have been 

 suggested; but the true explanation seems to be that they know 

 by instinct that the brackish water at the mouth of a river is 

 warmer during winter than that of either the sea or the river itself 

 While thus travelling they are captured in enormous quantities, 

 chiefly by means of " eel-pots '', which allow them freely to enter, 

 but prevent them from making their escape. 



Another way of catching eels is by "bobbing". A number 

 of worms are tied together with worsted, which is twisted in and 



