258 



LAMPERN. 



second, which at its beginning is high and angular, 

 and afterwards grows narrow, surrounds the- ex- 

 tremity of the fish, forming the tail, and is con- 

 tinued beneath to the vent. This species is, ac- 

 . cording to Dr. Bloch, an inhabitant of the sea, and 

 ascends in spring-time most of the European rivers, 

 in which it is found much more frequently and 

 plentifully than the great lamprey. With us it 

 is found in great quantities in the Thames, the 

 Severn, and the Dee. It is often potted with the 

 larger lamprey, and is by some preferred to it, as 

 being milder tasted. Mr. Pennant informs us that 

 vast quantities are taken about Mortlake, and sold 

 to the Dutch, as baits for their Cod and Turbot 

 fisheries : according to this author above four 

 -hundred and fifty thousand have been sold in a 

 season, at forty shillings per thousand, and about 

 an hufidred thousand have been occasionally sent to 

 Harwich for the same purpose. The Dutch, it is 

 added, have the secret of preserving them till the 

 time of the Turbot-fishery. Great quantities, says 

 Dr. Bloch, are taken in the March of Brandenburgh, 

 and in Pomerania, Silesia, and Prussia ; and after 

 frying, are packed in barrels by layers, between 

 each of which is a layer of bay-leaves, and spices, 

 sprinkled over with vinegar. In this state they are 

 sent into many oj;her parts of the German empire. 

 In the river Bauster in Courland, great quantities 

 are taken from beneath the ice with nets ; they 

 are much larger than those found elsewhere, and 

 are packed in snow, and sent to any distance ; and 

 when put into cold water recover themselves. This 



