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THE LAMPREY. 
sucking-fish attains the same object by pressing the edges of the disc against the moving 
object to which it wishes to attach itself, and forms the needful vacuum by the movement of 
the bony laminge. 
Several fishes are popularly known by the name of Lamprey, but the only one to which 
the title ought properly to be given is the larger of the two species in the engraving. 
The Lampiey is a sea-going fish, passing most of its time in the ocean, bnt ascending the 
riveio foi the puipose of spawning. April and May are the months in which this fish is usually 
seen to enter the rivers ; in northern countries the time is postponed according to the climate. 
In Scotland, foi example, the usual month for spawning is June, and, as a general rule, the 
latter end of spring and the spawning of the Lamprey are synchronous. 
The flesh of the Lamprey is peculiarly excellent, though practically unknown to the 
people. Though it spends so much of its time in the sea, it is seldom captured except during 
its visit to the rivers, and even in that case is only in good condition during part of its sojourn. 
LAMPREY, LAMPERN, AND SAND PRIDE. --Petromyzon rnarhws, fluviatilis, and Planeri. 
Practically, therefore, the Lamprey is less persecuted than most of the finny tribe who are 
unfortunate enough to possess well-flavored flesh, and whose excellencies are publicly known. 
Lamprey Eel. The meaning of the generic name refers to a habit of the fish to suck 
stones and transfer them in such a manner as to protect their spawn, hence Stone-suckers. 
In the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers the Lampreys are taken for food, and much 
esteemed as such. During the spawning season they ascend the rivers a little before the 
shad, moving mostly in the night. They are often seen conveying stones, male and female 
both working. The number and size of these stones are astonishing. Mr. C. F. Holder 
informs the editor of this edition that he has lately seen in the St. Lawrence River a pile of 
stones of considerable size, which, collectively, measured nearly four feet in diameter, and 
about two feet and a half deep, that were transported for the purpose of protecting their 
spawn, by several of a species of “ Stone-toter,” the JSemotilus bullaris , or Chub. In the 
spring the Lampreys are taken above Albany. 
