406 THE ANGLEE-NATURALIST. 



to a lesser degree in several of the Scotcli and Irish rivers 

 at about the same period of the year. 



They make their appearance in the fresh waters in Eng- 

 land in April and May, and in Scotland in June, for the 

 purpose of spawning, and are then considered to be in 

 the most perfect condition. Pennant mentions that it is 

 an ancient custom for the city of Gloucester annually to 

 present the Sovereign with a Lamprey-pie covered with 

 a large raised crust ; and at Rodney, in Gloucester, a rent 

 called "Pride Gavel" is paid by certain tenants to the 

 lord of the manor for the liberty of fishing for Lampreys 

 in the river Severn. 



In the Lea these fish are frequently taken of from 1 to 

 3 lbs. weight; but in the Severn they attain a larger size, 

 having been known to be caught more than 3 feet in 

 length and 5 inches in diameter. 



The food of the Lamprey consists generally of animal 

 matter ; and in the sea it will attack fish greatly superior 

 to itself in size, fastening pertinaciously upon them, and 

 gradually eating its way to the very bone. It is not un- 

 frequently found in eel-pots and other similar receptacles, 

 and is occasionally taken by anglers whilst fishing with a 

 worm. Its motion when swimming is undulating and 

 eel-like : where the current is rapid it moves by successive 

 plunges, attaching itself instantaneously to the nearest fixed 

 object that offers, so as to secure the advance gained. 



In the " Treatyse of Fysshynge wyth an Angle " (in- 

 cluded in the ' Boke of St. Albans,' 1496), the authoress. 



