THE EEL FAMILY. 399 



The term " Grig " is in the neighbourhood of the me- 

 tropolis applied to a particular Eel of small size, of which 

 the annexed figure represents the head. Grig is also a 



name given by the Thames fishermen to any small Eel 

 of not more than 9 or 10 inches in length. 



In a Broad-nosed Eel of 22 inches in length, the three measure- 

 ments given in the last species, p. 896, are respectively as 2 to 13, as 

 1 to 3, and as 10 to 22. Head very large, rounded at the back part 

 and flattened from the eyes forward ; gape large ; both jaws broad and 

 blunt, lower jaw widest and longest; lips fleshy. Teeth more nume- 

 rous than in either of the other species, larger, stronger, and forming 

 a broader band round each jaw. Gill-openings, pectoral fins, and 

 dorsal fin placed further back than in Sharp-nosed Eel. Back- and 

 anal fins also much thicker and deeper. Tail broad and rounded. 

 Vertebrae 115. Colour : upper surface of body dark greenish brown, 

 varying somewhat with locality and nature of water or soil. 



