Queries and Answers. 4.79 
ing been at that time struck with the assertion, and knowing it to be con- 
trary to what I had generally observed, I considered it as an opinion 
too hastily made, and which further experience might contradict or rectify ; 
but having seen the belief of it introduced into another work, I have since 
more particularly noticed the lamprey, and to me it appears, as it always 
did, that the milter and spawner are as distinct in that species, as in 
the cod or the herring; and of course the spawn or eggs are emitted 
under the same circumstances. The milters, which run smaller, often 
are more in number than the spawners, but the sexes are perfectly distinct. 
I speak of the common lamprey (Petromyzon fluviatilis). The common 
and vulgar name, although used not so much as formerly, is Lampern. The 
fishermen on the river are well aware of the fact of their having roes or 
eggs, in the same way as in other fish; that is, about half and half, as they 
are continually opening them for the purposes of cookery. How any of 
that class of men could acquiesce with Sir Everard Home, who refers to 
them in support of his hypothesis, in the memoir in question, is very 
strange. 
What the habits of the larger lamprey, or sea lamprey, may be (not being 
able to procure any at present), I do not know: but from having nearly 
the same aspect, I should suppose there is no material difference. 
Your correspondent, J. Carr, justly observes, at p. 196. of your last 
Number: “ It is universally true, that all anomalous productions in nature 
are limited to individuals.” 
Can any of your correspondents, acquainted with the fact, explain wherein 
the difference of the larger and lesser lamprey consists ? Are they distinct ; 
or, from their age, and acquiring more nourishment in the sea, do they come 
to a larger size, as the salmon is supposed not to grow to any bulk in fresh 
water ? 
There is also, in the sands of the Thames, during the summer season, a 
small worm, about 4in. long, called by the fishermen a sandprey, in the 
number of breathing holes on each side resembling the lamprey. Are they 
the fry of the above named fish in their progressive state, or are they a dis- 
tinct species ? 
I put these queries in full belief, that articles of natural history are in- 
serted with no other authorities than what are copied from each other. As 
the Rev. W. T. Bree quotes, in your last Number: “ Natural history ought 
to be studied as a collection of facts, not as the history of our guesses or 
opinions.” 
Lately I observed two water newts ina pond: one had acquired an enor- 
mous size; it was spotted and coloured much like the larger lamprey; the 
smaller one was of a uniform and brighter colour, and appeared, when com- 
pared together, to have full as much difference as between the two sorts of 
lampreys. I supposed them, notwithstanding, to be of one species. Colour 
and magnitude are not always sufficient distinction. The larger lamprey 
is said to have more teeth, — that as well as magnitude may be an effect of 
age; the organisation should perhaps differ, to form a different species. I 
am, Sir, &c.— An Old Angler. Brentford, April 13. 1830. 
Queries respecting the Natural History of the Saimon, Sea-trout, Bull-trout, 
Herling, §c. — The value of the salmon fisheries in Great Britain has de- 
creased so much of late years, and particularly in the north of England 
and south of Scotland, that a remedy for it, independently of its interest as 
a difficult and unsolved question in natural history, will become of no little 
importance to proprietors. The following queries are proposed, with the 
view and with the hope of gaining some information upon the natural his- 
tory and economy of this valuable species. It is only by arriving at a correct 
knowledge of its various habits, and those of the species allied to it, which 
frequent our rivers in almost equal numbers, that we can hope to devise or 
accomplish any means of increasing the production, or of decreasing the 
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