336 Mr. Tilden’s account of lamprey eels. 
sition, with the most disgusting appearance, not unlike the writhing 
movements of snakes; when they fell into the water they went down 
the stream and did not resume their former place. I tried the saliva » 
of a dog on them, but it had no effect. I could not observe whether 
the effect was first produced on one and by him communicated to the 
others. It would seem impossible that so small a quantity of saliva 
should impregnate so large a quantity of water (say several hundred 
tons) as to form a mixture or combination and change its properties so 
as to affect animals. ‘ 
I understand that in the season for them these fish are abundant in — 
this neighbourhood, particularly at Watertown. ee 
