THE EEL. 
*59 
the ferpent tribe, in a torpid {late during winter. Some 
have been known to take fhelter under a rick of hay in 
ievere weather, and even there, have all perifhed from 
Excels of cold *. Though fond of hiding themfelves in 
the mud, they are incapable of living in thick turbid 
Water ; and hence, when a river is difturbed by a flood, 
they are frequently fuffocated by the impurity of the 
ftream f* 
The Common Eel J. 
fiiE external figure of this fiih is too well known to 
Squire a minute defcription. The body is long, round, 
tapering, compreffed towards the tail, and above of a 
‘ Ue colour, tending to yellow on the belly. The river 
has no fcales, the body being all over lubricated with 
a v ifcous fubftance, ferving at once to prated the animal 
fr °m cold, and external injury. Thofe which are fed in 
Pure running water, are brighter in their colour, as well 
a “ more delicate in their flelh §. 
7' ne irides are white, and near the eyes, are feen the 
J'fices of fmell. The branchite are four in number, 
0v ered with a Ikin, and extremely fmalT. the aperture 
'Eternally communicating with them, is fo minute, that 
j )a ° ccaf ' lons their fuflocation in muddy water, and is pro- 
j y tnp caufe why they are capable of living fo long 
the open air ||. 
There 
j . rrtts apud Gefner, page 45. f Willough. page no. 
§ Ailgu,,Ia ’ Lin - Syh- Anguilla Plinii, lib. ix. . 
w midem. || Ronielct.de pifcib. lib. I. cap. 9, 
