228 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Remarkable preparation for spawning. 



Muralto, in his very minute description of the 

 lamprey, makes not any mention of lungs : yet 

 from some peculiarity in its formation, this ani- 

 mal generally swims as near as possible to the 

 surface ^ and it might be easily drowned by 

 being forcibly kept under water for a consider- 

 able time. The. absolute necessity it is under of 

 breathing in the air, must convince the attentive 

 observer that it really has lungs ; and it is very 

 probable that the two red glands tissued with 

 nerves, (described by Muralto as lying towards, 

 the back of the head) are no other than the lungs 

 of the animal. 



This fish usually leaves the sea the beginning 

 pf spring, in order to spawn, and after a stay of 

 a few months, it returns again to the sea. The 

 species known among us is differently estimated 

 according to the season in which it is caught, or 

 the place where it has been fed. The best season 

 for them are the months of March, April, and 

 May ; and they are usually taken in nets with 

 salmon, and sometimes in baskets at the bottom 

 of the river. Those that leave the sea to deposit 

 their spawn in fresh waters are the best ; those 

 that are entirely bred in our rivers, and that have 

 never been to sea, are considered as much infe- 

 rior to the former. These fish's preparation for 

 spawning is a remarkable circumstance in their 

 natural history. Previous to their depositing 

 their spawn, they make holes in the gravelly 

 bottom of rivers ; and if they meet with a stpne, 



