CHAPTER X. 



EELS AND GAT-FISHES. 



BY W. P. PYCRAFT, A.I,.S., F.Z.S. 



EELS, like flat-fishes, show phiinly, in the sliape of tlieir bodies, a remarkably perfect 

 adaptation to their environment. They are burrowing fishes, jjassing much of their time 

 buried in the mud, and leaving little more than the head exposed. In accordance with 

 this habit, the body is very long and round, and lacks both the hinder paired fins, and scales. 

 When swimming, the body is propelled by rapid undulations, the movement being from side to 

 side, it may be remarked, instead of up and down, as in the " serpentine " movements of snakes. 



Whether all the fishes commonly regarded as eels really belong to this family or not is 

 a moot-point. It is possible that the eel shape has been inde[)endently acquired by unrelated 

 forms as a result of adaptation to a similar mode of life. But as the group now stands it 

 embraces several distinct types, — the Commox FRES^-^^■ATI•:u Ekls ; numerous marine species, 

 such as Congers, Serpent-eels, Deep-sea Eels, and Painted Eels; and the fresh-water 

 Electric Eels. 



The Eiver-eels and Congers are perhaps the Tiest known, and are also highly important 

 food-fishes. That they are fishes of comparatively slow growth seems to be shown by the 



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