THE LAMPREY. 367 



important season ; but the want is supplied by the sucker-like mouth, by 

 which they individually remove each stone. Their power is immense* 

 stones of a very large size are transported, and a large furrow is soon 

 formed." The lamprey under consideration remains in pairs on each 

 spawning place, and retain themselves as described. 



When the lamprey is attached to a stone, it is obvious that it cannot 

 take in water at its mouth, and expel it at the opening of the gills, or 

 branchia, as do the rest of fresh water fishes. Professor Owen has 

 asserted that in such cases the water is drawn in and expelled through 

 the opening of the gills. This I have verified, and mention because 

 the student might otherwise, on watching the attached fish, wonder 

 how the animal sustains life. There are no convolutions in the intestinal 

 canal, which is small, and extends in a straight line to the anal aperture. 

 They are oviparous, and, according to Mr. Yarrell, spawn late in the 

 spring, a statement that will be seen to be at variance with the extract 

 given from Sir W. Jardine's worki though I am inclined to believe 

 Yarrell is right. The roe, it appears, is expelled in both sexes by a 

 small membraneous sheath, which has internally, at its base, five aper- 

 tures, one leading to the intestines, one to each kidney, and one to each 

 lateral cavity of the abdomen. 



The geographical distribution of this fish is of a very extended 

 character. It is found in the Mediterranean, as far north as Scandinavia, 

 and even Iceland possesses it, while it is common to North America. 



The sea lamprey (P. movrinus) is common in spring and summer in 

 rivers of the south of England, particularly the Severn. It is also found, 

 but in sparse quantities, in Scotland and Ireland. 



It is seldom more than from a foot and a half to twenty inches in 

 length in waters of the more northern latitudes, but grows to a very 

 large weight and bulk in the more southern localities. 



Yarrell obtained specimens from the Severn, and I have seen them 

 measuring twenty-eight inches in length, by Worcester, Tewkesbury, and 

 Upton-on-Severn. In the "faithful city" they are sold potted, and 

 though there are those who deem them delicious, I must certainly 

 say I cannot coincide. Perhaps, as I do not care for truffles and 

 high game, it may be said that my taste is not of a very highly cultured 

 nature. 



These fish are but rarely found in the Thames. It is on record that 

 two have been taken as high up as Sunbury, but these captures, though 

 indubitably substantiated, were made some forty-five years ago. The 

 Scotch fishermen commonly return them to the water when they find speci- 

 mens in their nets. This is, however, not surprising, for they dislike 

 eels. It is stated by Pennant that the Gloucester folk send a pie of 



