146 , THE angler's guide. 



holes made in a gravelly, sandy bottom. In the month 

 of April, after leaving their spawn safely, they quit 

 the fresh water again for the sea : in about three 

 months, the spawn becomes a brood of Lampreys, 

 about four or five inches long. The Lamprey Eel is 

 frequently caught in the river Severn, near Glouces- 

 ter, while angling for Gudgeons, Perch, Flounders, 

 &c., with a worm. 



The Lamprey, Lampern, or Seven Eyes. 



This Fish is about a foot long ; the back is dark, 

 and belly white, much resembling the silver Eel : they 

 have seven holes, like shot holes, on each side of the 

 head. They are found in the Thames about Brent- 

 ford, Richmond, and other places, in March and April, 

 when they are in the best state, but they are not 

 considered wholesome food ; they have no bones in 

 their bodies, not even a back bone, but, in its place, 

 a sort of gristly substance. The Lamprey is a most 

 killing bait for Eels, put on a night line or trimmer, 

 in pieces about an inch and a half long : they are, 

 sometimes, caught by the Angler in the Thames, and 

 other large rivers, that have a communication with the 

 sea, (to which the Lamprey more properly belongs,) 

 in the Spring, when fishing with a worm ; but they 

 are never angled for purposely in any place that I 

 am acquainted with. After spawning, they hasten 

 again to the sea, leaving their brood in the sand or 

 gravel of rivers. This Fish, Pliny informs us, will 



