Slippery as an Eel. 169 
cooler or rainy weather they forsake such places for the still, 
deep ditches. Ifa flush of water comes, and a little, shallow 
stream, running from or into the main river, becomes fuller 
than usual, there they resort in vast numbers, evidently 
pleased with the delicious change, only to remain as long as 
its freshness continues. 
Like many other fishes, Eels are very tenacious of life, 
and can live a long time when removed from the water, 
owing toa simple and beautiful modification of structure, 
which permits them to retain a sufficient amount of moisture 
to keep the gills damp and in a condition to perform their 
natural functions. They have been seen crawling over con- 
siderable distances, somewhat snake-like in their movements, 
evidently either in pursuit of water, their own dwelling-place 
being nearly dried, or in search of some running stream in 
whose waters they may reach the sea after the customary 
manner of their race. Multitudes of Eels, both old and 
young, some of the latter scarcely six inches in length, 
have been seen crawling up the banks of a creek, apparently 
without any purpose, and over the smooth surface of a pro- 
jecting rock, with all the ease of a fly moving over a ceiling. 
So active were the little ones as to defy, unless the hand was 
moved with extreme rapidity, their capture. Vast numbers 
of these little Eels are in the habit of proceeding up the 
rivers in the spring-time. In some places in England they are 
called Elvers. They are caught in immense quantities, and 
scalded and pressed into masses termed Eel- or Elver-cake. 
When dressed these little Eels afford a luxurious repast. 
Towards the latter part of summer these fishes migrate 
towards the sea, being capable of living in fresh or salt 
water with equal ease, the mouths of rivers constituting 
favorite localities. Even in our seaport towns and marine 
watering-places the common river Eel is caught by those who 
are angling in the sea for fish. 
Various modes of capturing Eels are adopted by man. 
Bobbing, or clodding as it is sometimes called, is a very 
