60 
A COimrSH TATTNA. 
MUR^NIDM . — (the Eel Tbibb.) 
{^Anguilla acutirostris). Tlie common eel of the 
county. It is not unfrequontly a permanent resident in salt 
water, but not, so far as I have observed, at any great dis- 
tance from the shore. 
Broad-nosed Eel {Anguilla latirostris). Couch (Fauna) speaks of 
this as “less common than the sharp-nosed eel” (of course 
in Cornwall). The only specimens I have seen of it have 
been from the fresh water pond at Tresco in the Scilly 
Islands. The largest of these weighed 61bs. 8ozs. when I 
weighed it, but it wasted 6 ozs. on its way to London, where 
a cast of it was taken by Mr. Buckland. 
The Snig Eel {Anguilla mediorostris). Is mentioned by Mr. Couch 
as having occurred in Cornwall, but I cannot see in what 
way the Snig differs from what a small sharp-nosed Eel 
would be.*' 
Conger {Conger vulgaris). Common everywhere. Maries in its 
colour with the ground it inhabits. It differs from the fresh 
water eels in having its upper jaw longer than its lower. 
There are two varieties, but whether more than accidental, 
I cannot say. One thick at the “shoulder,” and of which 
a specimen of five feet long would weigh close on 601bs. • 
the other thin at the shoulder, of which a specimen of 5 feet 
long would not exceed 301bs. 
Morris {Leptoceplmlus Morrisii), Mr. Couch records this fish in 
Eauna with the note of “not uncommon,” but he does not, 
in express terms, in “British Eishes,” say it has been taken off 
Cornwall ; and I have never seen nor heard of a specimen, 
1 think it must be accepted as rare. Probably, as happened 
some years since of the rare Arch-fronted Swimming Crab 
{jportunus arctuatus), one summer produced them in unusual 
abundance. 
Murcena {Mur ana Helena). Mery rare. Only one specimen re- 
corded as Cornish or even British. It was taken in 1834. 
* Yarroll distinguishes it from A ; Acutirostris principally by its habits of 
feeding and a slight variance in the proportionate size of the bones of the 
skull. These differences may well belong to the old and young of the same species. 
