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Show COMMON EEL HAS A GREAT HISTORY Washington. Jan, 21 Much of the mystery concerning the life of the common eel is cleared up by Dr. Frpderick W. Smith federal fish commissioner, in a statement to the National Geographic society, today. According to Dr. Smith, the most extraordinary ex-traordinary theories and beliefs have been entertained regarding the spawning habits of the eel from the time of Aristotle to the present day due to the fact that these fish do not spawn within the confines of the continents or where human observation observa-tion is possible. "When the complete life of the eel is cleared up," Dr Smith declares, de-clares, it will doubtless be shown to have a more remarkable history than any other fish possesses." Dr. Smith explains that the habits of the eel at the time of spawning are entirely unknown because its eggs are ne er dpposited in water less than 1000 meters deep. They hatch at or near the surface, where they are carried by their natural buo"ancy. From counts and estimates esti-mates based on immature specimens speci-mens " he says, "it is evident that tho eels are the most prolific of all fishes and of all backboned creatures From five million to ten million eees are probably produced by tho average aver-age sized eels and 15,000,000 to 20,-000,000 20,-000,000 must be deposited by the largest examples. One of the most surprising facts in the eel's life Is that all individuals of both sexes die after spawning once The principal damage done by the epl is to the spawn of food ftshr-s This is consumed con-sumed in great quantities, especially at night' |