76 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



artists who affect to imitate the ancients in this matter, 

 construct these ornaments in the shape of adders, vipers, 

 and other snakes, forgetting that, in nine cases out of 

 ten, the eel, and not the snake, is designated on the 

 antique ornaments and bijouterie which time has be- 

 queathed us. 



The eel is subject to a disorder of a leprous character. 

 When under the influence of this disease, he is mottled 

 with numerous little white spots, which give him an un- 

 healthy, and, indeed, a disgusting appearance. 



Hamprep Ua Hamprofe. 



The LAMPREY is exactly like an eel in form, and also 

 in colour ; but he possesses some remarkable characteristics 

 which are peculiar to himself. Close to each eye he has 

 two ranges of small orifices, four on one side, five on the 

 other, and, independent of these, behind each eye he has 

 seven more through which he effects his respirations. He 

 is slippery like the common eel, and swims with great 

 force and activity, being a remarkably muscular fish. He 

 possesses the faculty of attaching himself to stones, etc., 

 by means of his mouth, which, from the elasticity of his 

 lips and the strength of his crooked teeth, acts as a kind 

 of sucker and enables him to hold on to stones and posts, 

 etc., with singular firmness. A lamprey of three pounds 

 for he reaches a larger size than writers on angling com- 

 monly imagine has been known thus to lift a weight of 

 about twelve pounds. On account of this peculiarity, he 

 is denominated by some naturalists the " Petromyson" or 

 " Suckstone." 



The lamprey spawns in the spring, and ascends the 

 rivers and streams for this necessary purpose. The eggs 

 of the lamprey are about the size of a grain of mustard- 



