24 CATECHISM OF 



Q. Describe the most remarkable of these 

 species, 



A. Petromyzon Marinus, or the Sea Lamprey, 

 greatly resembles an eel in shape, and sometimes 

 weighs four or five pounds. It can, at pleasure, 

 swim with considerable rapidity, but its usual si- 

 t nation is attached to some large Stone or other 

 substance, by the mouth ; and so forcibly does it 

 adhere, that a stone of ten or twelve pounds may 

 be raised by taking the fish without obliging it to 

 let go its hold. 



Q. What further may be observed of the Lam- 

 prey? >' 



A. The general habits of the Lamprey greatly 

 resemble those of the eel, and like that fish it is 

 extremely tenacious of life not only, when cut 

 in pieces, will the several parts continue to move 

 for a long time, but the Petromyzon Planeri, a 

 species found in Germany, will remain alive a 

 quarter of an hour in spirits of wine, moving with 

 violence the whole time *. 



Adhere, v. to fasten, to hold. 

 Tenaceous of life, long in dying. 



* The city of Gloucester sends annually at Christmas, 

 a present of a rich Lamprey-pie to the King. As Lampreys 

 are at this season extremely rare, this present is usually 

 very costly. 



