THE FISHES IN THE RIVER HULL. 2I 
LamPERN.— his little fish, which somewhat resembles the 
eel in outward appearance, is at once conspicuous from its 
sucker-like mouth and the fourteen branchial openings on 
the sides of its neck. In the spring and autumn lamperns 
ascend the Hull in great quantities to deposit their spawn, 
and are caught in thousands at Top Lock by a paid 
fisherman. He catches them ina wicker trap called a leap. 
It is onthe same principle as the ordinary eel-trap, only it 
is very much larger. No bait is needed, for the baskets are 
placed below the weir, where the lamperns must pass, 
intercepting great numbers. When caught they are 
transported alive to Grimsby, there to be used by the fisher- 
men as a valuable bait for cod. 
Lamprey.—One of these fish was caught at Top Lock on 
July 6th, 1895, which weighed 24lbs. and a photograph of it 
is now in my possession. It was kept alive by its captors, 
and was designated by them a large lampern. On the 
specimen being shown to me, I at once pronounced it to be 
a fine example of the lamprey, and believe it to be the only 
authentic instance of its occurring in the River Hull. When 
caught it was in company with two others. They had taken 
up their quarters on a gravelly shallow, and had dug a 
circular hole some two feet deep and five or six feet in 
circumference. No lampreys have been seen since. 
THE FLora OF THE East Ripinc.—Mr. J. F. Robinson, our 
recorder for botany, for some years has had in hand the compila- 
tion of a flora of the East Riding. This is now in an advanced 
stage towards completion, and we hope to publish it shortly. In 
the meantime any records of plants, the knowledge of the exis- 
tence of collections of dried plants, or other information relative 
to the subject, will be gladly received, and we take this opportunity 
of asking all who are able to send particulars of the finding of any 
important plant, in order that the list may be as complete as 
possible. Communications should be addressed to Mr. J. F. 
Robinson, 22, Harley Street, Hull. 
