324 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



Their best season is when they first arrive from the sea, 

 as March, April and May, as after breeding they rapidly 

 deteriorate, becoming flabby and emaciated. They are a 

 great delicacy potted or stewed, but a surfeiting food. In 

 the Severn they are commonly said to attain their greatest 

 perfection by "Ascension Day," subsequently to which 

 they fall off. The vertebral column, or back-bone, should 

 be entirely removed before these fish are cooked ; some 

 even consider it to be poisonous. 



In the Forth, above Alloa in Scotland, Parnell observes 

 they are returned to the water by the fishermen, who 

 have a prejudice against them. In Cornwall, we are told, 

 they are only used as bait, while in Ireland they are 

 rejected because they are so ugly. 



Habitat. Found around our coasts, ascending rivers at 

 their breeding period ; they have been noted from the 

 north of Scotland down the east coast to England, being 

 not uncommon in Yorkshire, and abundant in the Yare, in 

 Norfolk, in April and May. A few yearly pass up the 

 Thames, while they are comparatively common along the 

 south coast, but becoming rare in Cornwall. The Severn, 

 however, is the most noted British river for these fish. In 

 Ireland it is found all round the coast. In the larger rivers 

 connected with Lough Neagh, it is of regular occurrence, 

 ascending the Ballinderry not only as far as Coagh, about 

 five miles from Lough Neagh, but four or five miles further. 



It is usually from 20 to 28 inches in length, but has beei 

 captured at Gloucester up to 39 inches. 



2. Lampern. (Petromyzonfluviatilis^ 



Names. Lampern ; lamper - eel ; seven - eyes ; mne* 

 eyes ; nine - holes ; barling, cunning, and spanker - 



