THE LAMPREY 



( Petromyzon m a rin us ) 



IN May and June the lamprey ascends our rivers to spawn. A 

 number of these are frequently caught in the salmon fishers' nets 



Fin. 272. Mouth of a Lamprey, showing the sucker and teeth. Half life size. 



on the Tay, and are mostly from 24 to 30 inches in length, and 

 weigh from 2 to 3 Ibs. They are more plentiful in England than 

 in Scotland, and are caught for the market. The colour is bluish- 

 green with brown blotches, merging into an orange colour on the 

 belly. 



The lamprey has a very characteristic mouth. When opened to 

 its fullest extent it is quite round and has the tongue well armed with 



numerous teeth (see Fig. 272, which gives a very clear representa- 



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