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The last fish, to which I shall now refer, is the lowest, in this 

 division of the animal kingdom — the lamprey (petromyzon). 

 We have four species in England; three of which, if not the 

 fourth, are found in the rivers of this county. Two of them 

 (P. fluviabilis, and P. plauerii), are often called lamperns : why, 

 it were perhaps difficult to say, unless to puzzle Ichthyologists. 

 They are true lampreys. By means of their circular fleshy lips, 

 they adhere firmly to stones or fish ; piercing the strongest in- 

 teguments of the latter, and preying on their substance. 



To those, who have never examined this remarkable fish, it 

 must seem utterly incomprehensible, how, when adhering closely 

 to any object, by means of the mouth, the process of respiration 

 can be carried on. But like every thing else, in nature, it is 

 modified in accordance to the circumstances in which it is placed. 

 Most fish have free gills, which open to expel the water that has 

 been taken in by the mouth. But the lamprey is constantly so 

 situated, as to make this process impossible : it is, therefore, 

 supplied with a power of breathing, by means of external orifices, 

 through which the water is both inhaled and ejected — altogether 

 independent of the mouth. 



The marine lamprey is found in the Wye, as well as in the 

 Severn, during summer. Like all sea fish that mount the rivers, 

 its purpose is to spawn. This it does, in pairs, while the smaller 

 species congregate in largo masses. 



The common river lamprey, was supposed to visit the sea. 

 Mr. Yarrell says, that his own observations lead to a contrary 

 conclusion. I have myself seen it in the Wye early in February 

 — ^long before the marine lamprey has left the salt water ; and 

 hence conceive that Mr. Yarrell is right. The pride is much 

 smaller than the others ; and though often called the mud lam- 

 prey, it is not a real lamprey ; for as the mouth does not form a 

 circle, it is incapable of adhering to stones, or any other object. 



Between those fish that swim near the surface — such as the 

 trout — and those that live at the bottom — as the flounder, loach, 

 and eel — there is a great and important distinction. The former, 

 have a higher standard of respiration — a lower degree of muscular 



