How did Loudon describe eels leaving ponds?

The unusual movement is that eels, though described as water-dwelling fish, are reported in Loudon’s book to travel across land and even climb obstacles^[1][2].

The book says eels leave freshwater ponds or lakes at night, wriggle through meadow grass “with a motion resembling that of a snake,” and prey on slugs and snails^[3]. It also quotes Mr. Jesse’s report that young eels, trying to pass shut flood-gates at Teddington and Hampton, climbed the large gate posts; in his account, some died and remained there, forming a layer that helped others get over^[4]. These are the book’s reports, not claims established here as modern scientific findings.