Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-08-24
Life Story of the Eel.

ing on the hook, is an elusive subject,
but his life history typifies one OF the
marvels Of the sea, and recent an
nouncements have added to his rsputa-
ton.
Reports have just reached Washing
ton OF the success of Danish ex-
petition to the Bermudas, in answer
ing the ancient question Of the cells
origin. Headed by DR.. ions Schmidt,
director of the Carlsberg laboratory,
Of Copenhagen, the party, on the ship
Dana, has been searching the seas for
seven months to find where the eel
breeds and is Matched. AS the eel in
dustry is of prime Importance in Dem
mark the party was equipped by the
government and several societies in
conjunction. DR.. Schmidt has been
making special study Of the eel for
more than fifteen years.
Since at least $50 B. c., scientists
have been trying to find the cells
birthplace, and by tracking down the
route found taken by the young cells
DR.. Schmidt placed the breeding
grounds between the Bermudas and
the Leeward islands where the sea
reaches a depth of more than a mile.
Here the most remarkable discovery
was made; that the European species
and the American, which vary so
Slightly as to be almost neglible, and
absolutely so to the layman, breed side
by side and eventually start for their
homes, thousands of miles away, but
that neither variety ever goes to the
others fresh water grounds.
The marvel is, to scientists, accord
ing to DR.. H. F. Moore, Deputy Com
missioner of the U. S. Bureau of
Fisheries, that Of the millions of young
making the trips, instances of discov-
cry Of the European species in Amer
lean waters and vice versa have been
exceedingly rare. And there is no in
'SiuiSSHiHR USl"SSH the TWO.
The European species, DR.. Schmidt
found, deposit their eggs and breed
in section to the south and east of
the Bermudas, while the other breeds
to the south and west of the islands.
The first make three-year migration
to the shore of Europe from the North
Sea to Italy, while the second journey
to the American coast from New Eng
land to the south coast, taking only a
few months or year.
1t was found that the eggs are hatch
ed at depths of about 200 meters, the
young larvae generally rising as they
grow until some were found on the
surface. 1t is also true that the larvae
vary their depth in the water accord
ing to the time of day At this stage
and until they reach the coast waters.
they are known as ''leptocephalide"
and are ribbon or leaf shaped and
quite transparent, in fact that under
tense the vertebra may be counted
the only means of determining the
species. The European variety, il
was found, have more vertebrae than
the American.
The translucent quality is be-
lieved to be a means of avoiding peril,
as the leptocephalus is found in schools
along the coast line in spring and
must undoubtedly form food for lare-
er fish. AS they approach shoal brack-
ish water there comes a marvellous
metamorphosis, they change from the
ribbon shape to the cylindrical form.
but are still transparent They be-
come much thicker and are even
shorter than before. They gradually
assume light lines of pigment, though
remaining translucent for some time
and as the pigment increases the dark
color becomes more and more apparent
until they are of the familiar color.
In this connection is pointed cut the
immense trip the leptocephalide make,
those journeying to European waters
being three years on the way, so that,
according TO DR.. Schmidt, there are
always two .migrations on the way, and
in early spring, three, before the first
reach the shore. As il is not until
erackish water is reached that the met
amorphosis occurs the question that
puzzles scientists is whether the Amer.
lean species natures more rapidly than
the other, or whether the change of
water is necessary for the change from
Ieptocephalus to elver, as the Young
eel is known.
ms eel is the same as that caught
in the far inland ponds and muddy