THE BEST KINDS OF FISH FOR RIVERS. 115 



nightingales' tongues. It is a shy fish, hiding in 

 holes and under roots or stones, and is of no value to 

 the sportsman, as it is seldom taken, save on a dead 

 or night line. It abounds in many of our rivers, par- 

 ticularly in those of the midland counties, and can 

 easily be distributed; but as it is a very voracious 

 fish, and a great burrower in the soil, it is almost 

 doubtful whether it would not devour more spawn 

 than it is worth. This, however, is, I am bound to 

 say, but a mere conjecture on my part, which remains 

 to be solved by further experience. 



The Lamprey. This is unquestionably a delicate 

 fish for the table, though, from some cause or other, its 

 popularity, once considerable, has so far diminished 

 that it is hardly ever seen in a bill of fare nowadays ; 

 and in many places so strong is the prejudice against 

 it, partly, perhaps, owing to its ungainly appearance, 

 that the inhabitants refuse to partake of the lamprey, 

 and cast it away when they chance to capture it. The 

 appearance of the flesh is somewhat similar to the 

 burbot, but with a peculiar and indescribable flavour ; 

 is also inferior to the burbot in respect to the head 

 and liver ; indeed, the liver of the lamprey should be 

 very carefully removed before cooking, as it is of so 

 bitter and unpleasant a flavour that it is apt to taint 

 the entire fish. There are various ways of cooking the 



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