59. The Eel. Anquilla anquilla.
Grows to three feet in length. Color, greenish brown; belly, lighter yellowish.
The Eel ascends the rivers and brooks in the spring, returning in the fall to the seashore, where it winters, sometimes in great numbers cuddled together in the deep holes of the river beds.
During the day the Eel hides in the mud, but at night is found in all waters, a voracious and destructive animal feeder. Bites readily at worms, dead or live fish, or meat.
As a food the flesh of the Eel is considered very fine, although rich.
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