450 NATURAL HISTORY. 



The MARINE LAMPREY is found in the Mediterranean, and 

 in most of the northern European rivers. It has also been 

 discovered in America. A lew are caught in the Thames 

 almost every year, but the Severn is its usual haunt. Like 

 many other fishes, it travels for many miles up rivers for the 

 purpose of depositing its spawn, at which time it is considered 

 to be in the highest perfection. 



The spawn is deposited in furrows, some excavated by the 

 parent Lampreys, Avho, by the help of their sucker-like mouths, 

 rapidly remove even large stones. 



LAMPETUA. 



Fluviatilis (Lat. of the river), the Lampern. 



The LAMPERN, or RIVER LAMPREY, is plentifully found in 

 many rivers of England.^ It was formerly held in great repute 

 as bait for turbot, cod, and other fish, but in consequence of the 

 diminished supply other substances have been employed. Its 

 length is usually from twelve to fifteen inches. In some coun- 

 ties it is called Seven-eyes, in allusion to the breathing apertures 

 in the neck. 



* It is extremely common at Ashbourne in Derbyshire, inhabiting the Dove and its 

 tributary brooks. Strange to say, the inhabitants of Ashbourne held it in some ab- 

 horrence, and there was only one individual possessing sufficient strength of mind to 

 cat them. He found them a most agreeable addition to his ordinary diet. The Lam- 

 perns, or Lampreens as they were called, used to lie in masses of eighteen or twenty 

 together in a hole, and if disturbed, set off down the stream with some speed. 



