3 22 



THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



but merely moss-like papillae, or barbels, under the 



HP. 



Habits. An anadromous fish, which ascends rivers 

 breed, in the Severn as early as the middle of March. It 

 circular mouth forms an expanded disc, and by an 

 haustive action air and water are removed, and thus 

 vacuum is produced ; the fish can then attach itself to anj 

 fixed object, and no muscular action is necessary 

 prevent its being carried down stream by the current. Ii 

 the same way they adhere to their victims, eat into 

 substance, and thus manage to tear away and swall 

 mouthfuls of mashed-up meat. Fish have been captui 

 which have undergone this torture, but yet have re 

 covered the injury. About 1878 an individual, whe 

 bathing at Margate, was alarmed by one of these fish, aboi 

 1 8 inches in length, fixing itself on him while he We 

 bathing ; and so tenacious was its hold, that the bat 

 brought it out of the water attached to his body. The 

 fish are frequently captured at sea, and often at son 

 considerable distance from shore, but they are general' 

 of rather a small size. This is one of the forms of fisl 

 which has been said to lay hold of ships so firmly as t 

 with difficulty detached ; it and the remora have 

 in this country been termed " sucking fishes." Sailors 

 asserted that they attach themselves to vessels in order 

 feast on the tar. Lampreys have been known to att 

 gurnard, mackerel, coal-fish, cod, and haddock. 



Means of capture. The date at which this fishery co. 

 mences in the Severn is rather uncertain, but is 

 considered to be from February until May. At the end 

 March, 1881, although a few had been taken, the fishr 

 had not regularly began at Tewkesbury. Sometimes t 

 are taken as late as the end of June or even in July, 



