672 FISHES. 



none have been found in South America or the west coai 

 of ISTorth America and West Africa. The following are the moi 

 note-worthy : — The common European species (A. anguilla) 

 spread over Europe to 64° 30' lat. N., and all round tl 

 Mediterranean area, but is not found either in the Danube ( 

 in the Black and Caspian Sdas ; it extends across the Atlant: 

 to ISTorth America. The form of the snout varies much, an 

 some naturalists have believed that specimens with a broa 

 and obtuse snout were specifically distinct from those wit 

 pointed snout. However, every degree of breadth of the snot 

 may be observed ; and a much safer way of recognizing th 

 species, and distinguishing it from other European Eels, : 

 the forward position of the dorsal fin ; the distance betwee 

 the commencement of the dorsal and anal fins being as Ion 

 as, or somewhat longer than, the head. Eels grow general! 

 to a length of about three feet, but the capture of muc 

 larger examples is on record. Their mode of propagation : 

 still unknown. So much only is certain that they do nc 

 spawn in fresh water, that many full-grown individuals, bi 

 not all, descend rivers during the winter months, and thi 

 some of them at least must spawn in brackish water or in dee 

 water in the sea ; for in the course of the summer youi 

 individuals from three to five inches long ascend rivers i 

 incredible numbers, overcoming all obstacles, ascending vert 

 cal walls or iioodgates, entering every larger and small 

 tributary, and making their way even over terra firma to wate 

 shut off from all communication with rivers. Such immigr 

 tions have been long known by the name of " Ed-fairs." Tl 

 majority of the Eels which migrate to the sea appear to retu: 

 to fresh water, but not in a body, but irregularly, and throng 

 out the warmer part of the year. ISTo naturalist has ev 

 observed these fishes in the act of spawning, or found matu 

 ova ; and the organs of reproduction of individuals cang 

 in fresh water are so little developed and so much alike, th 



