GREAT LAMPREY. 253, 



commences at a very small distance from it, is 

 nearly of the same extent, but with a subtriangular 

 outline : the tail is short and slightly rounded. 



The Lamprey is an inhabitant of the ocean, 

 ascending rivers chiefly during the latter end of 

 winter and the early months of spring ; and after 

 a residence of a few months in fresh water, again 

 returns to the sea : it is viviparous, and the young 

 are observed to be of slow growth ; contrary ta 

 the assertions of some writers, who have supposed 

 the Lamprey to be a short-lived fish. When in 

 motion this fish is observed to swim with consider- 

 able vigour and rapidity, but it is more commonly 

 seen attached by the mouth to some large stone or 

 other substance, the body hanging at rest, or obey- 

 ing the motion of the current : so strong is the 

 power of adhesion exerted by this animal, that a 

 stone of the weight of more than twelve pounds 

 may be raised without forcing the fish to forego its 

 hold. The general habits of the Lamprey seem 

 pretty much to resemble those of the Eel, and it is 

 supposed to live principally on worms and young 

 fish. Like the Eel it is remarkably tenacious of 

 life ; the several parts, when cut in pieces, will 

 long continue to move ; and the head will strongly 

 attach itself, for several hours, to a stone, though 

 by far the greater part of the body be cut away 

 from it. 



Among the cartilaginous fishes none is so desti- 

 tute of all appearance of real bone as the Lamprey, 

 in which the spine itself is no other than a mere 

 soft cartilage, without any processes or protuber- 



