THE EEL. 361 



TheSel. The Eel from its general resemblance to the 

 snake is not usually a favourite when alive, however popular 

 it may be with the palate, when served up with suitable acces- 

 sories at table. It is however full of interest as a study, and 

 shows many remarkable characteristics and traits. It migrates 

 from the river to the sea in the Autumn to produce its young, 

 thus reversing the order of procedure of the salmon. Mr. 

 Jesse, writing of these migrations as observed by him in the 

 Thames many years ago, says: "An annual migration of 

 young eels takes place in the river Thames in the month of 

 May, and they have generally made their appearance at King- 

 ston, in their way upwards, about the second week in that 

 month. These young eels are about two inches in length, 

 and they make their approach in one regular and undeviating 

 column of about five inches in breadth, and as thick together 

 as it is possible for them to be. As the procession generally 

 lasts two or three days, and as they appear to move at the rate 

 of nearly two miles and a half an hour, some idea may be 

 formed of their enormous number. Sir Humphry Davy 

 says, in his "Salmonia, " — "There are two migrations of 

 eels, onsfrom and the other to the sea ; the first in spring and 

 summer, and the second in autumn, or early in winter. The 

 first of very small eels, which are sometimes not more than two 

 and a half inches long ; the second of large eels, which some- 

 times are three or four feet long, and weigh from fifteen to 

 twenty pounds. There is great reason to believe, that all eels 

 found in fresh water are the results of the first migration ; they 

 appear in millions in April and May, and sometimes continue 

 to rise as late as July, and the beginning of August. They 

 feed, grow, and fatten in fresh water. In small rivers, they 

 are seldom very large ; but, in large deep lakes, they become 

 as thick as a man's arm, or even leg ; and all those of a con- 

 siderable size attempt to return to the sea in October or Novem- 

 ber, probably when they experience the cold of the first au- 

 tumnal rains." Mr. St. John thus describes some young 



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