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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 143, 4 November 1912, Page 6

I Much difference of opinion lias been expressed as to whether eels migrate, but to those who liave studied their habits it is now a matter of common knowledge that the adult eels leave the fresh water ,when they have attained maturity and make their way to the sea. Here they seek the depths of the ocean, spawn and die; no eel ever makes the return journey. When the young are born they do not bear the lea,st likeness to eels, being flattened from side to side. Furthermore, their bodies are transparent; they have no fins and their blood is white, As they gradually grow bigger they seek the surface of the ocean and at the same time make their way landward. Eventually a stage is reached when a radical cliange of food is required, necessitating new jaws and teeth. While the mouth is growing the eels cease to eat, drawing upon the material of the body to sustain life. As a result, the body becomes reduced in length and ehanges in shape, the flattened form giving place to the more familiar shape. Simultaneously with the mouth transformation is the development of the fins and the blood assumes its characteristic red color. By this time the tiny migrants, elvers they are called, have reached the rivers and up these they ascend in vast numbers and qf about the size of darning needles. No less wonderful is the way in which these tiny travellers make their way overland to lagoons, pools and ponds. These journeys are always made at night when the grass is wet with dew. Eventually their journey comes to an end and' they settle down till maturity is attained. For the purposes of procreation they return to the sea, where, having laid their eggs, they die. Even quite recently the mysteries surrounding the life of an eel were unfathomed . Difference of sex was not discovered. Elvers known to develop into mature eels have ascended the rivers each year. Mature eels were known to descend the rivers to the sea, but never known to return. DR. SHELDON'S NEW DISCOVERY Is the most wonderful remedy ever discovered for the cure of coughs and colds. It will relieve you when all others have failed, la Gd and 3s. Obtainable everywhere.