454 PETROMYZTD^. 



CHONDROPTEBYGII. 



PETROMYZTDJE. 



THE LAMPERN, OR RIVER LAMPREY. 



Petromyzon fluviatilis, Linn^us. Block, pt. iii. pi. 78, fig. 1. 



„ ,, CuviER, Regne An. t. ii. p. 404. 



,, „ Lesser Lamprey, Penn. Brit. Zool. vol. iii. p. 106, pi. 10. 



,, ,, Lampern, Don. Brit. Fish. pi. 80. 



,, ,, River Lamprey, Flem. Brit. An. p. 163, sp. 2. 



„ „ „ „ Jenyns, Man. Brit. Vert. p. 521, 



sp. 210. 



The Rivee Lamprey, or Lampern, as it is called by 

 fishermen for distinction, is a well-known species which 

 abounds in many rivers of England, particularly the Thames, 

 the Severn, and the Dee : it is also abundant in several 

 rivers of Scotland and Ireland. 



Some authors state that this species, like that last described, 

 visits our rivers in spring, and returns to the sea after spawn- 

 ing ; but the recorded opinions of others, and my own obser- 

 vations, induce me to believe that it generally remains all 

 the year in the fresh water. In the Thames I am certain it 

 is to be obtained every month in the year ; but is considered 

 in the best condition for the table from October to March, 

 during which time it is permitted to be caught, according 

 to the rules adopted for the conservation of the fishery. 



