THE FISHES OF ALASKA. 227 



Family z. PETROMYZOXID.-E. The Lampreys. 

 2. Entosphenus tridentatus (Gaixdner). 



Four specimens 16 to 18 inches long, collected by Mr. Chamberlain in Xaha River mar I.oring, 

 June 23, 1903, and a 6-inch specimen seined by him in McDonald Lake, August 24. 1905. Mr. Cham- 

 berlain reports that lampreys were quite abundant June 22 al the foot of Dorr Falls in Xaha stream. 

 More than 50 were observed attached to the rocks. They were first noticed June 20 and all had dis- 





Fig. 2.— Entosphenus tridentatua (G&irdxier). 



appeared in a week or ten days. Fin- males and 5 females were examined. I h the latter all bul one 

 appeared I" have done spawning, and it is believed they were there for spawning purposes. 



Al the Yes Bay hatchery a number of young were caught in the Qume which brings water t > > the 

 hatchery from a point on the creek In-low the falls. It is believed thai the lamprey spawns among 

 the reeks al the fool of that falls. 



This species was recorded at Unalaska, by Gilbert in IS95. 



3. Lampetra aurea | Bean > Lamprey Eel. 



Tl lis species, originally described from Anvik. Yukon River, and recorded from Fori Yukon by 



I'.eaii in 1SS2 as Amwocntus aureus, was nut seen by us. Recorded from Mission. Yukon Kiver i Nelson 

 1887), as Ammoccetus aureus. 



Fig. 3.— Lampetra auroa (Bean). 



Mr. V. L. Derby, formerly a school-teacher at St. Michael and Point Barrow, in a letter dated 

 January 19, 1907, furnishes the following interesting note on this species: 



In the spring — I believe during the month of April — the eels start up the river in one large school, 

 presumably to spawn. I am not enlightened upon this point, but suspect they live in the salt water 

 through the greater portion of the year and as spawning season draws near they enter the Irish water 

 streams. I am in the dark whether they are found in other streams in Alaska besides the Yukon. 



As the time approaches for the arrival of the "snaky" forms, the Indians keep close watch for the 

 first arrivals. Remember that the great river is covered with ice from 4 to 5 feet in thickness at this 

 time of the year, and it is no small task for the young boys to keep a number of large holes open and 

 occasionally dipping with their large dip nets. These nets are also used by the natives to catch salmon 

 during the running season. Saw several Indians in their kyaks using their dip nets, but during the 

 short time I was in sight of them aboard the United States transport did not have the pleasure of seeing 

 a lish caught. 



When the eels are reported as having come, the whole village — men, women, and children — go out 

 quickly and gather in a harvest of these fish while the school is passing, and when the rear guard has 



