EEL. 
135 
the retardment they experienced from the force of 
the current, they kept close along the water’s edge 
the whole of the way, following all the bendings 
and sinuosities of the river. Where they were em- 
bayed, and in still water, the shoal dilated in breadth, 
so as to be sometimes near a foot broad ; but when 
they turned a cape where the current was strong, 
they were forced to occupy less space, and press 
close to the shore, struggling very hard till they 
passed it. 
“ This shoal continued to move on night and day 
without interruption for several weeks. Their pro- 
gress might be about a mile an hour. It was easy 
to catch the animals, though they were very active 
and nimble. They were eels perfectly formed in 
every respect, but not exceeding two inches in 
length. I conceive that the shoal did not contain 
on an average less than from twelve to twenty in 
breadth ; so that the number that passed on the 
whole, during their progress, must have been very 
great. Whence they came, or whither they went, I 
know not. The place I remarked them at was six 
miles from the sea ; and I am told that the same 
phenomenon takes place every year about the same 
season.” 
It appears that these animals are possessed of a 
power of climbing over any obstacle, by apply- 
ing their slimy and glutinous bodies to the surface 
of the object they are inclined to surmount. Thus 
they can creep up locks, weirs, and whatever op- 
