280 BEETLE TRIBE. 



True Lamprey. So great is the delicacy of these fish, 

 when potted or stewed, that they have been celebrated in 

 almost all ages. Our monarch, Henry the First, was so 

 excessively fond of them, that he died from a surfeit, in 

 consequence of eating too heartily of them. Lampreys 

 have circular mouths, and are able to fix themselves in a 

 most adhesive manner, to rocks or stones. They feed on 

 all kinds of animal substances, and are as little select in 

 their choice of food as the eel. In the spring of the year 

 they leave the sea, and enter the rivers for the purpose of 

 depositing their spawn. Here they continue for a few 

 months, when they return again to the ocean. On each 

 side of the neck of the Lamprey there are seven openings, 

 which serve the office of gills, and are, by many persons, 

 mistaken for eyes. 



These fish are sometimes three feet and upwards in 

 length, and weigh as much as four or five pounds. Their 

 body is round, and not much unlike that of the eel. The 

 mouth contains from twelve to twenty circular rows of 

 teeth. The second dorsal fin is distinct from the tail. 

 The body is of a variegated green bluish and dusky 

 colour on the upper parts, and whitish below. 



CLASS V. INSECTS. 

 ORDER I. COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 



1. SCARA-B^lUS OR BEETLE TRIBE. 



The greater part of these insects are produced from 

 grubs, or larvae, as they are usually called, which live 



