276 MALACOPTERYGII. — MURiENADiE. 
another migration of adult Eels to the sea, for 
the purpose of spawning. Great numbers, how- 
ever, remain in the fresh waters through the 
winter, hiding themselves in the mud, where they 
become torpid till the return of mild weather. 
Eels are taken in various modes. One called 
totting is performed by cutting a hole in the 
weeds, on a gravelly bottom, and placing a boat 
there. The fisherman is provided with a short 
stick, with a cord at the end, to which is at- 
tached a bunch of worms strung on worsted with 
a leaden plummet in the midst of them. To 
this curious bait, as soon as it reaches the bot- 
tom, the Eels crowd, and suck at the worms, 
when the tot is quickly drawn up into the boat. 
The Eels drop off into the boat, the tot is 
plunged again, and soon again comes up loaded 
with fish. It is a nocturnal amusement, but 
when the weather is favourable produces good 
sport. 
In mill-waters many Eels are taken in the 
following way. A frame -work is fitted to one 
of the smaller gates, to which is affixed a net 
of very strong cord, sixty feet in length, becom- 
ing narrower towards the extremity, where a 
hoop-net is tied, to receive the Eels carried down 
by the stream. When used, the other gates are 
closed, the one in question only being left open. 
The net must be watched, and the weeds or 
drift wood that accumulates taken out ; the Eels 
also must be removed at intervals, for otherwise 
they would be crushed to death by the force 
with which the rushing current packs them to- 
gether. Thirty or forty stone of Eels are thus 
sometimes taken in one night ; generally very fine 
