FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 285 



Paris began to take up streams and ponds in the vicinity for a city water supply, this 

 pond was drawn down until it was decided to let out all the water and cement the 

 bottom and sides. When this was done and the pond filled, it was again stocked with 

 fish — " carp, pike to keep the carp active and from getting too fat, and some 

 thousands of young eels." 



When it was believed that the eels were large enough for the table, none could be 

 found, and the pond was drawn, and not an eel was left in it. This was strange 

 enough, for no one had fished or netted the pond, which for years before it was 

 cemented had contained eels, and another large supply of young eels was turned in, 

 only to disappear as mysteriously as the first lot, and a third attempt was made to 

 stock the pond with the elusive fish. One morning after a heavy rain the gardener 

 appeared at the house with a basket of eels, which he had found in the wet grass, all 

 headed in the direction of the nearest stream which led to the sea, and then it was 

 discovered that the eels had left the pond in a body. 



A gunner in England was attracted to the nest of a polecat by the action of his 

 dog, and in it was found a fresh eel with its head bitten off. The keeper explained 

 that the polecat had caught it "as the eel was taking an evening stroll amongst 

 the grass." 



In "Natural History of Worcester" Dr. Hastings relates: "A relative of the late 

 Mr. Perrott was out in his park with his keeper, near a large piece of water on a 

 beautiful evening, when the keeper drew his attention to a fine eel ascending the bank 

 of the pool, and with an undulating motion making its way through the long grass ; 

 on further observation he perceived a considerable number of eels quietly proceeding 

 in ihe same manner to a range of stews nearly a quarter of a mile distant from the 

 large piece of water whence they started. The stews were supplied by a rapid brook, 

 and in all probability the instinct of the fish led them in that direction as a means of 

 finding their way to some large river, where their ultimate destination, the sea, might 

 be obtained." This circumstance took place in Sandford Park, near Enstone. 



Pennell says: "The mode in which eels effect their escape from a basin or other 

 similar place of confinement is peculiar. They commence tail, instead of head, first, 

 throwing the former over the edge of the vessel, and by this means gradually lifting 

 themselves out." He also says eels mature in three years, but does not explain how 

 he knows this to be so. No other writer, so far as I can find, pretends to state with 

 accuracy how long it takes for the eel to mature or arrive at breeding stage. From 

 the same authority, and the last "exhibit" on the subject of eels on land: "If eels are 

 kept in confinement and not closely covered up or shut in with smooth, steep sides, 

 they will almost certainly make their escape, generally in the night-time, and travel 

 overland to any water which may be in their neighborhood. The same thing occurs 



