398 
LAMPERN. 
in length, but they are sometimes fifteen inches; in general 
shape much like the younger condition of the Sea Lamprey, 
but the mouth less expanded; the teeth very differently ar- 
ranged, and not nearly so formidable or numerous; round the 
disk of the mouth a considerable number of fibres, which 
appear to be organs of exquisite sensation; but they are more 
numerous, and of different form and texture from those which 
constitute a principal character of Planer’s Lamprey. At the 
entrance of the disk, or expanded mouth, below, is a row of 
small teeth, placed circularly, and at a short distance inward 
a few rather larger, followed by a pair at the entrance of the 
throat, which stand higher. Above the orifice of the throat a 
pair of flattened triangular teeth, separate from each other; 
and from each proceeds a couple of smaller teeth, with one 
near the border below each of them; higher up the disk 
seven teeth in an arched arrangement, forming, with those 
smaller ones already mentioned, what should be twelve arranged 
in a half circle, but one of these teeth in this example had 
been lost or shed. The fins of this species resemble those of 
the Sea Lamprey, except that in the Larapern there is a low 
continuance of the second dorsal, which becomes joined to 
that which as a tail passes round the end of the body. But 
the aspect of these two fishes is different; which in part arises 
from the greater protrusion of the head of the Sea Lamprev, 
and the more arched lowering of its line of direction towards 
the mouth. The orifice on the head appears as if inclining to 
the side. Willoughby makes the uniformity of colour, free of 
mottling, to be a characteristic of the Lampern; M^hich, as 
regards the older individuals of the other species, will hold 
good, but it is not so in the younger examples of that fish. 
In this species the back is a uniform blue, with rings like ribs 
partially encircling the body; below white; the fins inclined to 
yellow. 
As I am aware that the teeth of this fish are liable to be 
shed, and perhaps without leaving a mark of where they have 
been until again restored, I here give the description of them 
as reported by Lacepede. It is possible also that they may 
be liable to some variation. He says, “At the entrance (of the 
mouth or disk) a single row of very small teeth, which are 
placed round its circumference; and within this, in front, there 
