156 FRESH- WATER AQUARIA. 



moutiis of rivers, but also from one piece of water to 

 another. They are able to take these overland journeys by 

 reason of their well-known power of living, without ill-efCeot 

 to themselves, for a long time o\it of water, and because, 

 owing to their snake-like form, they can travel at a con- 

 siderable pace along dew-covered grass. Some time ago I 

 saw an Eel, about 18in. long, which had been dug up by 

 a man who was making a surface-drain across a field. It 

 was not found in water, but in moist clay. It was very 

 lively. The nearest stream was about 50yds. away from the 

 spot where it was discovered. 



Eels are very fond of burying all their bodies, with the 

 exception of their heads, in the soft mud at the bottom of 

 the water. They have been known to live twenty or thirty years 

 in an aquarium, and they soon become tame enough to take food 

 from the fingers. During winter, especially if their tank is 

 in a cold room, they are very likely to pass a great portion 

 of their time in a state of torpidity — at any rate, they will 

 take hardly any food ; but when the weather becomes warm 

 they will make up for lost time by becoming rather greedy, 

 readily devouring worms, and if the Eels are of ajiy size, small 

 minnows, roach, and the like. If well fed they grow quickly. 



Aji Eel is exceedingly interesting in many ways. For 

 instance, there is the remarkable contrivance by which it is 

 enabled to keep its gills moist during the time it is out of 

 water; Each gill is inclosed in a kind of pouch or bag, and 

 within these bags or pouches the fish can retain water for 

 the purpose of moistening its gills during its overland jom-ney- 

 ings. Then, again, as the fish often live under stones, mud, 

 and sand, its eyes must be protected in some way, so it is 

 provided with an arrangement which may be likened to a pair 

 of spectacles; and again, some people are said to carry their 

 hearts in their pockets, but an Eel carries one in its tail, 

 called a lymphatic heart, the pulsation of which may be seen 

 under a microscope. Eels can be killed by striking them 

 upon their tails. As they are able to ascend perpendicular 

 surfaces, the aquarium in which they are confined should be 

 securely covered. 



