THE LAMPREY 149 



powerful streams — in the middle or on the borders of 

 which they are to be caught in the greatest quantities. 



The baits used in bleak-fishing are flies, gentles, and 

 small grubs. At these, in the proper season, and in 

 proper waters, the fish will bite with the utmost avidity, 

 and keep the angler fully employed. The tackle should 

 be as light as possible, the rod not too supple, and the 

 hooks small. 



In places where bleak abound the angler should take 

 his stand near a very rapid run of water — some sluice 

 or staunch. Close to the side of the current he 

 should throw his line, baited with fresh gentles. The 

 fish in such spots will run at the bait most furiously, 

 and the sportsman will have little to do but to pull out 

 his captives — sometimes half a dozen together, if he 

 have as many hooks on his line. 



Artificial flies, tipped with a minute bit of white 

 leather taken from a white kid glove, will answer very 

 well when gentles are not to be procured. A float, 

 about an inch long, made of the end of a pen, with one 

 little girdle of quill round it to hold the gut, is often 

 used in bleak-fishing, and when the water is still it very 

 much improves the efficiency of the tackle. In a strong 

 stream a float is useless. 



Bleak-fishing is very improving to young anglers, and 

 often amusing to older ones. The little fish yields more 

 real sport than many other kinds of fish of much greater 

 magnitude. 



THE LAMPREY 



The lamprey is exactly like the eel in form and 

 colour, but he possesses some attributes peculiar to him- 

 self. Close to each eye he has two ranges of small 

 orifices, four on one side and five on the other, and, 

 independent of these, behind each eye he has seven 

 more, through which he effects his respirations. He is 

 slippery, like the common eel, and swims with great 

 force and activity. He possesses the power of attaching 

 himself to stones, etc., by means of his mouth, which, 

 from the elasticity of his lips, and the strength of his 



