LAMPREY. Petromyzcm, marinus. 



LAMPEBN. Lampetra fiuvi&tiUa. 



believe it to be actually poisonous, and would sooner handle an angry viper than a poor 

 harmless Lampern. 



It is fortunate for the fish that its evil reputation is so widely and firmly established, 

 for, under shelter of its name, it passes scathless through many a stream, from which it 

 would be nearly extirpated if its right character and good qualities were better known. 



Granted the bad reputation, the creature certainly behaves in a manner well calculated 

 to strengthen any unfavourable reports. For, as soon as grasped, it writhes about in a 

 viperine, not to say venomous fashion, and is sure to fix its sucker of a mouth on the 

 imprisoning hand. Few uninitiated captors can endure to any farther extent, and when 

 they feel the cold lips pressed to the skin, and the quick suck by which the fish attaches 

 itself, they generally utter a scream of terror, and fling the Lampern away as far as their 

 arm can jerk it. Yet the creature has no idea of using its mouth as a weapon of offence, 

 and when it affixes itself to the hand, is only seeking for a point of support as a fulcrum 

 for its struggles. 



Certainly, it has teeth, and under proper circumstances can use them in the task for 

 which teeth were made, but it seems either to be unable or unwilling to employ them as 

 weapons. I have caught thousands of these fish with the bare fingers, and had six or 

 seven affixed on my hand at the same time ; but they never did the least harm, and 

 though I am afflicted with a peculiarly delicate skin, they did not even leave the least 

 mark of their presence. 



It is a pretty sight to see these fish come working their way up a rapid stream, 

 especially when the water is high and the current strong. They are very cunning in 

 seeking the spots where " dead water " is produced, and steer for them as for so many 

 havens of refuge. In the shallower parts of the river they may be seen in their fitful 

 progress from stone to stone, sometimes appearing singly, sometimes in bands of three or 

 fopr, and sometimes in actual shoals. In the deeper water the Lampern is very seldom 

 lien, as it is a ground-loving fish, and keeps itself mostly to the bed of the river. Now and 

 then, however, a solitary specimen may be seen near the surface, wriggling its way pain- 

 fully along; and in muddy spots, where it finds no hold, is sometimes swept back 

 repeatedly by the current before it succeeds in passing the inhospitable spot. 



