12 
Transactions of the Society, 
The scales have-not always the normal structure as described, some- 
times a scale may have one or more incomplete zones, as in fig. 2. 
These incomplete zones or caps must naturally always be counted 
as well as the normal ones ; they are often to be found in the 
scales of large eels, and one can find all kinds of transition forms 
between these and normal zones. 
Scales can grow together, and unite the succeeding zones, form- 
Fig. i. 
ing quite normally in each scale, as in fig. 3, or the succeeding 
zone grows round them both, as in fig. 4. 
One also finds from time to time scales having quite abnormal 
forms, as in figs. 5 and 6, no doubt from the same cause. 
It is quite easy to obtain fine preparations of eel scales by the 
following method : — 
First carefully remove all slime or mucus from the skin by 
rubbing it several times with talcum, and afterwards with cotton 
wool steeped in 90° alcohol. 
