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Neuchatel, Brienne, and Morat, the species is also found in 
North American lakes and some rivers. 
The Sheatfish grows to an enormous size in waters favour- 
able to its mode of life. Specimens weighing 700 lbs. are 
recorded from the Danube, and in America, the average size 
of the adult fish is about 300 lbs. The bulk of the fishes 
caught in the season are of less weight, The length of ex- 
ceptional specimens will reach to 20 or 22 feet ; but 8 or 10 
feet are the lengths of large specimens. 
The general appearance of the Sheatfish is like that of a 
bulky eel, the eyes are large and froglike. The head is 
unpleasant to look at, and the mouth wide — the upper lip 
is armed with two long wormlike feelers, or barbules, which 
are kept in active motion either as sensitive organs of 
feeling, or to seize frogs and small fish which come 
within their reach. Its habits are to hide in the muddy 
bottoms or amongst the roots of aquatic vegetation— only 
coming to the surface on hot sunny days, after thunderstorms 
or when the water is frozen over— to keep an air hole open 
for occasional fresh air breathing. 
It has been attempted twice to introduce its spawn or 
young fish in English rivers, both trials have failed, 
although it is a hardy fish and very tenacious of life. The 
flesh of the Sheatfish is largely eaten in the countries where it 
abounds, but accounts differ as to its flavour and qualities. 
At one time in season it resembles fine fresh salmon in 
flavour, at another time white, fat, soft, luscious and not 
easy to digest. In the restaurants in the towns along 
the Danube, the Sheatfish is cooked in so many ways that a 
traveller may dine altogether upon this fish, and fancy he 
has been served with a variety of soups and meats. 
Whether the Silurus was ever, or is now, native to 
British rivers and lakes is as yet an open question, the 
peculiar spine which supports the pectoral fin has been dug 
from deposits in the London clay, i.e., Eocene , and Mr. 
