LAMPREY. TORPEDO. 

 THE LAMPREY. 



This animal bears a strong resemblance to the eel ; but 

 is of a lighter colour, and a clumsier shape. The mouth 

 likewise is round, and placed rather obliquely below the 

 end of the nose. It has an aperture at the top of the 

 head, through which it spouts water like the cetaceous 

 fishes. On each side are seven apertures for respiration ; 

 and the fins are rather formed by a prolongation of the 

 skin than by any peculiar bones or spines. 



The lamprey possesses the singular property of adhering, 

 by suction, to any substance to which it is applied. It 

 sticks to stones so closely, that it is with difficulty re- 

 moved. This wonderful power of suction is supposed to 

 arise from the animal's exhausting the air within its body, 

 while the mouth is so entirely attached to the object as to 

 exclude any from entering. 



This animal usually quits the sea about the beginning of 

 spring, for the purpose of spawning ; and, after an absence 

 of a few months, returns to its original abode. It deposits 

 its spawn in the gravelly bottom of some river, and waits 

 till the young have acquired sufficient strength to proceed 

 towards the salt water. 



Its flesh is variously esteemed, according to the season 

 in which it is caught. In April or May, it is thought to 

 be in the greatest perfection. The lampreys of the Severn 

 are preferable to any caught in other English rivers. 

 Among the ancients they were still more highly es- 

 teemed than with us ; but it is uncertain whether the fish 

 called muraena was actually that which is now under 

 consideration. 



There are several species, as the lesser and the Pride. 

 The latter is very common in the Isis, near Oxford; but is 

 by no means peculiar to that river. 



THE TORPEDO, OR ELECTRIC RAY. 



The narcotic, or benumbing qualities of this animal 

 have been celebrated in all ages. The body is almost cir- 

 M 2 



