GREA T BRITAIN. 327 



during which time the sand and gravel were stirred up ; 

 Lhese two fish, it was remarked, were invariably of the 

 Dpposite sexes. * Yarrell found that, although when 

 breeding they may be found in pairs, such is not invariably 

 the case, as often a number act together, and remove all 

 :he stones which impede their spawning operations. 



As food. The lampern is milder than the lamprey, and 

 those taken in the Severn at Tewkesbury are largely pur- 

 chased for potting, care having been taken to remove the 

 backbone. At the end of January, 1882, they realised at 

 Worcester about 4 a thousand. Many are also sold as 

 bait for the cod fisheries, and in March were being sold at 

 50J. a 1000. The Dutch for centuries have visited the 

 Ouse to purchase these fish as bait for their turbot and cod 

 fisheries. In Norfolk a prejudice prevents their being 

 eaten, unless by a few of the initiated ; they are conse- 

 quently thrown away. 



Habitat. Abounds in many rivers in England, par- 

 ticularly the Thames, Severn, and Dee ; also in the Tweed 

 and several Scottish rivers. Numbers are taken in York- 

 shire, and a good many in Norfolk, where it is sold to the 

 eel-fishers as bait, for which purpose it is excellent, cut 

 into pieces about an inch in length, while it is so tough 

 when on the hook as to bafHe any attempt of the eel to 

 suck or nibble it off. It will last good for two or three 

 nights' trial, while roach and small fish become sodden. It 

 is chiefly found in the gravelly shoals towards Trowse 



* In Norfolk, in 1882, a gentleman observed some small lampreys 

 (P. branchialis) during the breeding season. Two fish, each of 

 different sexes, fixed themselves securely to a stone by their sucking 

 mouths, and then twisted themselves one round the other. In this 

 position they rapidly pulled themselves backwards and forwards, a 

 proceeding which would naturally assist in expelling eggs or milt. 



