THE LAMPREY. 22? 



In great esteem with the ancients. 



Naturalists distinguish between the lampein 

 and the lamprey ; the former they say has a single 

 row of little teeth in the verge of its mouth, be- 

 sides the lower large ones : it grows to about a 

 foot and a half, though most of those usually 

 caught are under that standard. The latter has 

 about twenty rows of teeth, and grows to two 

 feet and a half, or more, in length. 



A species of the lamprey was in great esteem 

 with the ancients. We are told by the Roman 

 writers, that a senator of rank had attained to 

 very great celebrity for his taste in good eating, 

 and the luxury of his table : his fish in particular 

 were distinguished for flavor and feeding. Au- 

 gustus became his guest, and found that fame 

 had done justice to his merits his lampreys were 

 indeed of excellent taste. The emperor was de- 

 sirous to know by what means he gave them so 

 fine a relish : the epicure was happy to instruct 

 the emperor, and told him, " that it was his 

 custom to throw into his pond such of his slaves 

 as had at any time displeased him." Augustus 

 did not admire the receipt, for he instantly order- 

 ed all the man's ponds to be filled up ; and per- 

 haps many of our readers would not be sorry, 

 could we have informed them that the owner 

 had been thrown in with the rest of the rubbish. 



The lamprey of the Italians agrees with the 

 ancient fish, in being kept in ponds, and con- 

 sidered by the luxurious as a very great deli- 

 cacy, 



