310 
CONGEE. 
Conger, 
(( 
Murcena conger, 
Murene congre, 
- Conger vulgaris, 
(t (( 
Anguilla conger, 
if if 
JONSTON; pi, 4, f. 7. 
WaLLOUGiiBy; p. Ill, Table G 6. 
LiNN-^US. 
Laoepebe. Donovan; pi. 119. 
CUVIEE. 
Yaerell; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, p. 402. 
Fleming; Br. Animals, p. 200. 
Jenyns; Manual, p. 478. 
The Conger is one of the commonest fishes in the sea that 
flows round the United Kingdom, from the border of the 
tide to at least a depth of fifty fathoms; but we have no 
evidence to shew that it has ever wandered into fresh water, 
although the large size, even above sixty pounds, which has 
been ascribed to an example of the Eel, already referred to, 
might lead to a suspicion that such has been the case. It 
is not numbered by Fabricius among the fishes of Greenland, 
but it is found along the coasts of Europe, and in the Island 
of Madeira, as also in the northern states of America; but 
those of the Mediterranean are said to be smaller than such 
as are met with in the open ocean. 
Congers appear to have favourite haunts, from whi„h few 
of them wander far; but there are times, according to the 
seasons, in which they are more abundant than at others, 
and it has been noticed that in November and December 
those of a black colour, which always keep near rocks, are in 
abundance, so that a fisherman who fishes nearest the rocks 
is the most successful; at which time we suppose the assembling 
to be for the purpose of depositing their spawn. But it may 
be caused also by tho- varying habits of inertness and activity 
to which they are liable according to temperature, and 
especially as they are influenced by the direction or violence 
