STONE-SUCKERS. 323 



The Lamprey is taken in the Severn, near 

 Worcester, and also in the Thames, but only in 

 the summer months. The mode of taking this 

 fish is very simple, and not difficult to one who 



LAMPREY. 



has a quick eye and steady hand. By the aid 

 of a long staff armed at the end with several 

 diverging hooks, the fishes are seized from the 

 gravel at the bottom, where on a bright day they 

 may be seen feeding, and are lifted into the 

 boat. 



In winter the Lampern affords employment to 

 the Thames fishermen, when other fishes fail. 

 It is taken in large numbers by means of wicker 

 baskets placed across the weirs. Though much 

 valued for the table, the Lampern produces a 

 better remuneration by being sold to the Dutch 

 fishermen, who use it as bait in the Cod fishery. 

 Many thousands are exported alive, preserved 

 in tanks of fresh water, in the course of the win- 

 ter ; and when the produce is divided, the share 

 of each man engaged in the pursuit not unfre- 

 quently amounts to forty pounds sterling. 



