PETROMYZONTID^E. 363 



as in Elyote's Dictionarie, London, 1559, it is observed, " lumbrici are littell 

 fyshes taken in small rivers, whiche are lyke to lampurnes, but they be muche 

 lesse, and somewhat yeolowe, and are called in Willshyre prides." Llamprai V 

 Uaid, Welsh. The term branchialis was given it on the supposition that it 

 attached itself to the gills of other fishes. 



Habits. — Pennant remarks that instead of concealing themselves under stones 

 they lodge in the mud, and have never been observed to adhere to anything like 

 other lampreys. Couch however found that they did so adhere when in an 

 aquarium. Ball, in Thomson's " Nat. Hist, of Ireland," gives an account of two 

 of these fish placed in a globe of water along with a pair of gold fish. " The two 

 species continued together for two or three weeks, the lampreys never for a 

 moment intentionally molesting their more brilliant companions, though in their 

 gambols they would occasionally dash against them, apparently through a 

 deficiency or total want of sight, as they did against objects of every description 

 placed within the range of their evolutions. These evolutions are always similar, 

 the fishes dashing violently from the bottom of the vase with a rapid wriggling 

 motion to the surface of the water and back to the bottom again obliquely, and 

 thus continuing for a short time, although apparently as long as they have the 

 power; for in the midst of their most lively motions, they seem as if suddenly 

 paralyzed ; they invariably fall in a seemingly senseless manner to the bottom, 

 and whether they alight on back, belly, or sides, it is indifferent to them, as they 

 continue to remain in whatever position their body reaches the bottom, until 

 roused again to activity, which sometimes does not occur for a considerable time." 



It may be kept alive in a pan of water for months, being very hardy. It 

 should be in a cool but dark place, and have fresh water at first twice weekly ; 

 afterwards once will suffice, or less. 



Means of capture. — Obtained from mud banks in brooks by enclosing banks 

 by means of a dam and subsequently digging the fish out. 



Breeding. — Professor Wiedersheiner believes it to die after breeding. Thompson 

 remarked that in the river Frome, close to Dorchester, they attached themselves 

 to the stones, and then by wriggling their bodies detached it from its bed, when 

 making a spring for about 18 inches they dropped the stone. He states they 

 were not making a nest, as they did not drop two stones in the same place ; he 

 thought they were searching for food (Zool. xiii. 1855, p. 4705). In the "Wild 

 Sports of the Highlands," the author remarks, when watching some lampreys in 

 a small ditch of clear running water : "They were about six inches in length and 

 as round as a pencil. The two little creatures were most busily employed in 

 making little triangular heaps of stones, using for the purpose irregularly shaped 

 bits of gravel about the size of a large pea. When they wished to move a larger 

 stone, they helped each other in endeavouring to roll it into the desired situation; 

 occasionally they both left off their labours and appeared to rest for a short time 

 and then to return to the work with fresh vigour. 



Uses. — Bait for pollack in Cornwall, also cod fish. Employed as towing bait 

 in Cornwall, the boat being slowly propelled. It is very tough, and the same 

 bait may be employed for capture after capture. 



Habitat. — This fish is distributed through the rivers of Europe and likewise 

 those of North America. 



Throughout the rivers and streams of these islands. Has been recorded at 

 Banff (Edward) : at Gamric, Banffshire: about the middle of April, 1853, large 

 colonies of its young were to be seen in the burn of Blackton, Aberdeenshire 

 (Harris, Zool. 1854, xii, p. 4260) : Aberdeen (Sim) : Berwickshire not uncommon 

 (Johnston) : is occasionally met with in the Forth, Teith, Allan, and several other 

 Scottish rivers (Parnell) : Lancashire (Yarrcll) : Yorkshire (York. Vert.) : Norfolk 

 (Lowe) : Sussex (Linwood) : Surrey (Yarrell) : Gloucestershire : Oxfordshire, 

 especially in the Isis : common in Cornwall. 



In Ireland from north to south (Thompson) : an inhabitant of its rivulets 

 (Tcmpleton). 



Attains from 8 to 10 inches long and to nearly as thick as the little finger. 



