NOTE 147 



immemorial existed upon this question, and these are well 

 summarised by Blakey. Controversies have continually recurred 

 as to the propagation of the eel, and it may be therefore useful 

 here to state that so recently as 1897 the matter has been, in the 

 opinion of ichthyologists, finally settled by Professor C. B. Grassi. 

 This learned authority concludes that the eel lays its eggs in the 

 sea, and that the tiny elvers (or eel-fare) which swarm in our 

 streams in spring and early summer, are a month old, and ascend- 

 ing from salt water. — W. S. 



