MR. F. DAY ON NORFOLK EELS. 
335 
obtained examples from many localities, ami also from the trawlers 
off our coast in the winter months, to be in a better position to 
give a more authoritative opinion on these points. At present the 
generality of ichthyologists appear to consider our different forms 
are varieties of one species ; that our fresh-water Eels are mostly 
females, the males being more commonly present in brackish 
waters. 
Mr. Southwell observed that “ the three Eels sent are all from 
the .same locality, and, I think, all differ more or less from the 
typical Eel of this county. One is a decided specimen of the 
variety so long known to exist in the pond known as Saham Merc, 
a ])iece of water of about thirteen acres in extent ; it is not however 
so strongly marked an individual as I have seen. The.se Eels are 
called by the inhabitants ‘ fresh-water congers,’ and they really do 
somewhat resemble the congers both in colour and form, more 
especially when alive and in the water.” 
The three specimens sent differ very considerably one from 
another, and, following Kaup’s divisions, may be described as 
follow's : — 
(a) Large.-eycd species with abbreviated snouts. 
1. Anguill.v muRONi, Kaup. ‘Apodal Fi-shes,’ 185G, p. 33, 
jd. iii. fig. IG. 
(?) Anguilla cuvieri, Kaup, I.c., p. 33. 
Extreme length ... ... 23’3 inches. 
Length of body to vent ... 9’5 ,, 
Length of tail ... ... ... 13‘8 ,, 
Length of head to gill -opening 2-5 „ 
Diameter of eye ... ... OT ,, 
Eye from end of snout ... ... O'o „ 
Eyes apart ... ... ... 0‘5 ,, 
Distance from snout to dorsal fin G 8 „ 
Dody two-thirds as thick as high ; the width of the end of the 
snout 0'30 inches ; lips rather thin ; the angle of the mouth 
situated beneath the hind third of the eye ; lower jaw a little 
prominent. 
Teeth. — ^fandibular band with an enlarged outer row of about 
thirteen teeth, not extending the entire length of the dental portion. 
Fins. — In a thick envelope. The dorsal commences 2’7 inches 
anterior to the vertical from the origin of the anal ; height of dorsal 
VOL. IV. z 
