270 THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



two, with one snap of their formidable jaws, the body of 

 any one unfortunate enough to fall in their way ; their 

 mouths are armed with several rows of short spear-shaped 

 teeth ; the mouth is placed a considerable distance under 

 the head, so that when biting they turn on one side or 

 quite over ; they have no gills, but the water passes 

 through five oblong openings on each side. Sailors hold 

 this terrible inhabitant of the deep in great detestation, 

 as well they may, for there are few who have spent 

 many years at sea but can tell of a friend or messmate 

 who has been mutilated or devoured by the Sharks. 

 When sailors catch one, it is hauled on deck and killed 

 with great gusto ; the stomach is opened and its contents 

 examined, and it generally contains some terrible 

 mementoes in the form of buttons, buckles, &c., the 

 only relics of its victims. 



3. CTCLOSTOMI (Bound-mouthed). 



The Lamprey or Lampern (fig. 46) inhabits both rivers and 

 lakes, and some species, the sea ; it has a round mouth, 

 by which it affixes itself to rocks, &c., and also to other 



PIG. 46. THE LAMPEBY (Petromyzon fluviatilis) (b, the sucker). 



fish, it is furnished with teeth on the outer edge, it has 

 no scales, but is covered with a glutinous skin ; in form 

 it much resembles an Eel, and is from twelve to eighteen 

 inches long. The Lamprey was once very plentiful in 

 the Thames, and considered a dainty. 



