390 REPORT OF THE 



at that time to take them with your hands. * * * Por the last four years past 

 I have put from one to two dozen carp every spring in the Hudson River near my 

 residence. They have increased so much that our fishermen frequently take them 

 with their nets. They are larger than those in my ponds." 



The Carp has been artificially reared at Cold Spring Harbor and introduced into 

 many parts of Long Island. Fishermen report it plentiful in Swan River and some 

 portions of Quantic Bay. An example was obtained at Smith's Point in 1898. 



Order APODES. Eels. 



Suborder ENCHELYCEPHALI. Eels. 



Family ANGUILLIDiE. True Eels. 



43. Common Eel [Angiiilla chrysypa Rafinesque). 



Dr. Mitchill mentions an eel which was caught in the South Bay of Long 

 Island that weighed 16^ pounds. He records the use of eel pots, the practice 

 of bobbing, and also winter fishing by spearing. Dr. Mitchill states distinctly that 

 the ovaries of eels may be seen like those of other fish, but they are often mistaken 

 for masses of fat. Dr. DeKay states that he had examined the Silver Eel of the 

 fishermen and was disposed to consider it as only a variety of the common eel. 

 He characterized it as silver gray above with satiny white abdomen, separated from 

 the color above by the lateral line. At Bellport thousands of eel pots are 

 employed, and these are fastened to stakes which ai'e set in straight lines over a 

 large extent of the bottom. These stakes project from 4 to 6 feet above the surface 

 of the water. About Cape Cod the eel is abundant at all times, according to Dr. 

 Smith, but most numerous in October. On the west side of Buzzards Bay traps 

 have been set especially for eels, and large catches have been made. During two 

 Aveeks in October, 1896, one trap took 350 barrels ; in one night between 30 and 35 

 barrels were caught. 



According to Ayres, it inhabits the creeks and bays of Long Island in myriads. 

 Usually in November it retires into the mud and becomes torpid, remaining so until 

 May. During this period many are caught by spears. It is active the whole summer, 

 much more so by night than by day. Many are speared at night by firelight. Its 

 food consists chiefly of small fish. 



The eel occurs at Riverhead in Great Pond, according to Mather and Dean. 



The smallest eel observed in the summer of 1901 was taken in Swan River, 

 at Patchogue, August 29; it was 2^ inches long. 



■ MHHtfW 



