A HISTORY OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 



Of late years they have been introduced into 

 the Colne in the neighbourhood of Rickmans- 

 worth, where small fish have been taken 

 recently by anglers, thus indicating that this 

 species is breeding in that locality. The late 

 Mr. Panmure Gordon introduced them into 

 the Chess, a tributary of the Colne, whence 

 no doubt some have dropped down into the 

 larger river. 



APODES 

 22. Eel. Anguilla vu/garis, Turt. 



The eel fisheries of the Thames used to be 

 of considerable importance, for the little elvers 



from the sea found their way (and still find it, 

 though in decreasing numbers) up the whole 

 length of the river and its various tributaries. 

 Many of the huge baskets known as eel bucks, 

 which were used in catching these fish, have 

 now been dismantled, and owing to the pollu- 

 tion of the estuary, so it is believed, there are 

 not so many eels as formerly. At the same 

 time the eel is a very common fish in the 

 Thames and the Colne, and is still more 

 plentiful in the Ouse. There is only one 

 species found in British rivers, the difference 

 between eels with broad nose or pointed nose 

 being merely one of sex. 



CYCLOSTOMES 



23. Lampern. Petromyzon fluviatilis, Linn. 



The Thames lampern fisheries were at one 

 time famous, over a million of these fish a 

 year being captured between the estuary and 

 Taplow ; but the modern system of locks 

 and weirs has placed difficulties in the way of 

 their ascent, over-fishing has left its mark, and 

 very few are now taken above the tideway. 

 Now and again a specimen is found in an eel 

 basket. 



24. Mud Lamprey (Pride, Blind Lamprey 

 and Fringe-lipped Lamprey). Petromy- 

 zon branchialis, Linn. 



This curious little fish is still found in the 

 Thames, but not in large quantities. It is to 

 be seen in the spawning season on the shal- 

 lows of clear running brooks flowing into the 

 main river. 



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