The Lake and Brook Lampreys of New York 445 



to its possessor as something else, although the something 

 else may have been dignified by the name of reason. 



Fate of the Adult Lampreys after Spawning . — As to what 

 becomes of the lampreys after spawning the opinion of authors 

 is conflicting. A. Miiller ('56) says concerning it that from 

 the dead ones found at the close of the spawning season and 

 from the fact that in the ovary were eggs of only one size, 

 probably death followed the egg-laying as in case of many in- 

 sects. Couch ('65), in his work on the fishes of the British 

 Isles remarks concerning this point (Vol. IV, p. 391-392), 

 "As this species of lamprey [the sea lamprey] enters rivers 

 for the purpose of spawning in the spring, this is the season of 

 highest perfection ; but immediately after the shedding of the 

 roe so great a change takes place, that they are not only 

 weakened and emaciated, but it has been believed that death 

 is commonlj^ the result. But this last supposition at least is 

 not correct Soon after spawning the parent fish re- 

 turns to the sea." Seeley ('86), says concerning the sea lam- 

 prey, ''After spawning the fish is exhausted and goes down to 

 the sea." Of the river lamprey he sa3fs, "After spawning 

 the lampern usually dies ; " and of the brook lamprey, "After 

 spawning theold fishes probably die." Benecke, ('80-81), as 

 quoted by Goode ('84), remarks upon this point, " After the 

 eggs have been deposited, the lampreys die." The proof in 

 each case is not proof, but probabilit}', from each author's 

 standpoint, the strongest argument being that of A. Miiller, — 

 that the ova in the ovaries are all of the same size. 



Unfortunately the fate of the lamprej'S after spawning has 

 not been determined by the writer, although special pains 

 were taken to determine it. Several facts seemed to indicate 

 that, with both species, most of them return to the lake after 

 spawning, for in the middle and later part of the season many 

 lampreys are found going down the stream or attached to 

 stones below the nesting places. On examination such lam- 

 preys were alwa3's with empty gonads. As to their death on 

 the spawning grounds, especial care was taken to look for the 

 dead, but in all the years of investigation not more than 10 

 dead ones were seen. This does not indicate the number that 



