148 NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 



formed by Hie union of three considerable streams, called Rockaway, Long Pond, and 

 Ramapough creeks. Until a canal was, some years ago, cut round the great falls at 

 Paterson, no eel was ever seen in the waters above. Since that time they abound in 

 those streams, and are among the best in this country, both for size and quality. The 

 elvers, or small eels, are seen every spring and the beginning of every summer, ascend- 

 ing tkose streams in immense numbers. 



The natural history of the eel has always been, and still is, involved in great obscurity. 



Oppian thus describes the generation of the eel : 



" Not thus concha, eels, and polypi embrace, 

 Nor purple lampreys rear their embryo race 

 In selfish coils, hermaphrodite they sit, 

 And their own power the vital spume emit. 

 Which gradual dropp'd on sands or slimy mud, 

 A silver offering render to the flood." 



Translated by Good, in a note to his Lucretius, vol. I. 



It is not certain whether eels are oviparous, or viviparous. It is confidently asserted 

 that many persons have convinced themselves of the latter, by opening the eel and taking 

 from it a small, soft, whitish substance, knotted curiously together. Upon being put into 

 the water this has separated, and the young eels were perfect, and, although not bigger 

 than a small thread, have swam about ; this discovery always took place the end of sum- 

 mer, or beginning of autumn, and has been adduced as evidence of their going down 

 to the salt water to spawn. (Daniel's Rwral Sports, vol. 3.) On the other hand, it is 

 said, in the Philosophical Magazine, (vol. 34.) that they have indeed been generally sup- 

 posed viviparous ; " but the immense abundance of the young certainly bespeaks an 

 oviparous progeny, and this is supported by analogy in the lamprey eel, which breeds 

 commonly enough in most of our estuaries." 



NOTE BB. 



Hudson, the day on which he arrived at Sandy Hook, (September 3d, 1609.) saw, as 

 be denominates them, «* Many salmons, mulletts, and rays, very great ;" and when he 



