Queries and Ansisoers, ■ 479 



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 diiference 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 4 in. 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 in a 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- 

 pai'ed 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^ Ajml 1.3. 1830. 



Queries resjjecting the Natural History of the Salmon^ Sea-trout^ Bull-trout^ 

 Herlingy ^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 



I I 4 



