895 



LAMPERN. 



Lampetra alf'^ra minor macidis carens, Willoughby; PI. G 2, f. 1, the 



word minor referring by com- 

 parison to the Sea Lamprey. 

 Petromyzon fluviatiUs, Linn^us. Bloch; PI. 78, f. 1. 



" " Fleming; Br. Animals, p. 163. 



" prieha, Lacepede. 



" fluviatiUs, Cuvier. 



" " Jenyns; Manual, p. 621. 



" *' Yarrell; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, 



p. 604. 



Lacepede says that this fish is an inhabitant of lakes rather 

 than rivers, and that it comes into the latter only when pre- 

 pared to shed its spawn, which is in the spring. It may be 

 from the general absence of lakes in England that with us it 

 is usually found in rivers, and in preference it abounds in 

 such as are deep and wide; and it is there they may be 

 obtained throughout the year, although there api^ears to be 

 no doubt that some individuals have been found in the open 

 sea, to which it is probable they do not proceed at all seasons, 

 as if in regular migration, and where they do not continue 

 long. 



This species has never been so highly valued for the table 

 as the larger Sea Lamprey, although a small trade has been 

 carried on by pickling it to send even to India; but on some 

 accounts it is of greater importance, and might be of more if 

 it were employed for the same purpose more generally among 

 ourselves, as it is abroad. Dutch fishermen have long ago 

 discovered that it may be made an excellent bait for the 

 Turbot and Cod; and, as their own country cannot provide a 

 sufficient supply, they have had recourse especially to the 

 Thames, where the vast abundance in which this fish is (or 



