THE LAMPREY. 



583 



paratus of adhesion, which acts on the same principle as the disc of the 

 sucking fish or the ventral fins of the goby, though it is set on a differ- 

 ent part of the body. Several fishes are popularly known by the name 

 of Lamprey, but the only one to which the title ought properly to be 

 given is that shown in the engraving. 



The Lamprey is a sea-going fish, passing most of its time in the ocean, 

 but ascending the rivers for the purpose of spawning. 



The flesh of the Lamprey is peculiarly excellent, though practically 

 unknown to the great bulk of our population, and the juvenile student 

 in history is always familiar with the fatal predilection of British roy- 

 alty for this fish. Though it spends so much of its time in the sea, it 

 is seldom captured except during its visit to the rivers, and even in that 

 case is only in good condition during part of its sojourn. Practically, 

 therefore, the Lamprey is less persecuted than most of the finny tribe 



The Lamprey {Petromyson marinus). 



who are unfortunate enough to possess well-flavored flesh and whose 

 excellences are publicly known. 



When the Lamprey deposits its spawn it is obliged to form a hollow 

 in the bed of the river, in which it can leave the eggs in tolerable safety, 

 and performs this operation with great speed and no small skill. The 

 fish is not gifted with any great power of fin, and cannot make much 

 head against a sharp current, needing to rest at intervals, and for that 

 purpose fastening on to some large stone over which the stream has no 

 control. 



