THE FAMILY OF " EOUND-MOUTHED " FISH. 407 



after prescribing a minnow and worm as appropriate baits 

 for a Marcb Trout, adds, — "In Aprill take the same 

 baytes ; and also Jimeba, other wyse named VII. Eyes." 

 ' Seven eyes ' and ' Nine eyes/ in reference to the aper- 

 tures about the head, are still common names for the 

 Lamprey in this country and elsewhere. This fish is 

 beliered to deposit its spawn in holes in the sand or mud, 

 where the eggs are soon hatched, and in three months the 

 young attain a length of from 4 to 5 inches. 



Characteristics of the Sea-Lamprey. — Ordinary length from 20 to 

 28 inches. Head rounded. Teeth small, numerous, and tubercular. 

 Body long and cjdindrical, slightly compressed towards the tail. An 

 external aperture on top of the head, between eyes. Two distinct 

 membranous back-fins. Colour of body olive-brown, very much mot- 

 tled and spotted on back and sides with dark brown. By this mottled 

 colouring alone the Sea-Lamprey may be at once distinguished from 

 its congeners. Margin of fins inclining to reddish brown. 



