560 THE SEA LAMPKEY. 



nine-eyes, Dan. ; Petromyzon marinus, Linn.) was found 

 with us, and on the whole of the western coast of hoth 

 Sweden and Norway, from beyond the Polar Circle to the 

 Sound ; as also in the more southern parts of the Baltic ; 

 but it is somewhat scarce everywhere. Pennant speaks 

 of its attaining to the thickness of a man's arm, and a 

 weight of five or six pounds, but I have no idea of its 

 ever having been taken in the Scandinavian seas at all 

 approaching to that size. It is said to be very hard-lived. 

 Hofman relates that he has seen it exist for nearly a 

 whole day out of the water, and exposed, besides, to a 

 bright sun. It spawns in early summer, and for tint 

 purpose, although a salt-water fish, ascends rivers, often 

 to a considerable distance. Its powers of suction are 

 great. To prevent being carried away by currents, or 

 for other causes, it often affixes itself to a stone ; and 

 hence its popular name of " Stone - Sucker." It also 

 sucks itself fast for the most part to the belly of the 

 fish on which it purposes to prey, and with its sharp 

 teeth eats itself into the flesh. The fishermen in the 

 Bohus Skiirgiird say that it more especially attacks the 

 Ray family, and that they occasionally draw up one of 

 these fishes with a sea lamprey attached to it, though 

 more frequently they only see the wounds it has in- 

 flicted. Bishop Gunnerus tells us, moreover, that at 

 times numbers of lampreys fasten themselves to the 

 body of the Great Basking Shark, and do not quit their 

 hold of the creature until they have compassed its death. 

 Though the flesh of the sea lamprey is in reality good, 

 yet in Sweden it is little prized. On the greater part of 

 the Danish coast. Kroyer tells us, it is looked on as 

 poisonous, and when the lisli is accidentally captured, it is 

 usually ea-t hack into the sea. Of the Lampern, or River 

 Lamprey (J'. Jlnrinfilis, Linn.), a lull description is given 

 in the " Scandinavian Adventure-." 



