o98 LAMPERN. 



in length, but they are sometimes fifteen inches; in general 

 shape much like the younger condition of the Sea Lamprey, 

 but the mouth less expanded; the teeth very differently ar- 

 ranged, and not nearly so formidable or numerous; round the 

 disk of the mouth a considerable number of fibres, which 

 appear to be organs of exquisite sensation; but they are more 

 numerous, and of different form and texture from those which 

 constitute a principal character of Planer's Lamprey. At the 

 entrance of the disk, or expanded mouth, below, is a row of 

 small teeth, placed circularly, and at a short distance inward 

 a few rather larger, followed by a pair at the entrance of the 

 throat, which stand higher. Above the orifice of the throat a 

 pair of flattened triangular teeth, separate from each other; 

 and from each proceeds a couple of smaller teeth, with one 

 near the border below each of them; higher up the disk 

 seven teeth in an arched arrangement, forming, with those 

 smaller ones already mentioned, what should be twelve arranged 

 in a half circle, but one of these teeth in this example had 

 been lost or shed. The fins of this species resemble those of 

 the Sea Lamprey, except that in the Lampern there is a low 

 continuance of the second dorsal, which becomes joined to 

 that which as a tail passes round the end of the body. But 

 the aspect of these two fishes is different; Avhich in part arises 

 from the greater protrusion of the head of the Sea Lamprey, 

 and the more arched lowering of its line of direction towards 

 the mouth. The orifice on the head appears as if inclining to 

 the side. Willoughby makes the uniformity of colour, free of 

 mottling, to be a characteristic of the Lampern; which, as 

 regards the older individuals of the other species, will hold 

 good, but it is not so in the younger examples of that fish. 

 In this species the back is a uniform blue, with rings like ribs 

 partially encircling the body; below white; the fins inclined to 

 yellow. 



As I am aware that the teeth of this fish are liable to be 

 shed, and perhaps without leaving a mark of It^here they have 

 been until again restored, I here give the description of them 

 as reported by Lacepede. It is possible also that they may 

 be liable to some variation. He says, "At the entrance (of the 

 mouth or disk) a single row of very small teeth, which are 

 placed round its circumference; and within this, in front, there 



