. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. St LAUVREY.—Pctromyzon marinus. li&iiVERtJ.—Lampetra fluvhUilis. WVwvo it to bo actually poisonous, and would sooner handle an angry viper than a poor luu'iuless Lanipern. It is fortunate for the fish that its evil reputation is so widely and firmly established, for, niuler shelter of its name, it passes scathloss through many a stream, from wliich it be nearly extirpated if its right cliaracter and good qualities were better known. (1 rante
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. St LAUVREY.—Pctromyzon marinus. li&iiVERtJ.—Lampetra fluvhUilis. WVwvo it to bo actually poisonous, and would sooner handle an angry viper than a poor luu'iuless Lanipern. It is fortunate for the fish that its evil reputation is so widely and firmly established, for, niuler shelter of its name, it passes scathloss through many a stream, from wliich it be nearly extirpated if its right cliaracter and good qualities were better known. (1 ranted the bad reputation, the creature certainly behaves in a manner well calculated to streugtlien any unfavourable reports. For, as soon as grasped, it writhes about in a viperiiie, not to say venomous fasliion, and is sure to fix its sucker of a mouth on the imprisoiung liand. Few uninitiated captors can endure to any fartlier extent, and when they feel the cold lips pressed to the skin, and the quick suck 1)y which the fish attaches Itself, they generally utter a scream of terror, and fling the Lampern away as far as their arm can jerk it. Y(;t the creature lias no idea of using its mouth as a weapon of offence, and wlieu it allixes itself to the hand, is only seeking for a point of support as a fulcruni tur its struggles. Certainly, it has teeth, and under proper circumstances can use them in the task for which teeth were made, but it seems either to be unable or unwilling to employ them as Mcapons. I have caught thousands of these fish with the bare fingers, and had six or seven anixed on my hand at the same time; but they never did the least harm, ami tliouglil ain alUicted with a peculiarly delicate skin, they did not even leave the least mark dl their ]»resence. It is a sight to see these fish come working their way up a rapid stream, esppcially when the water is high and tlio current strong. They are veiy eunniii" in seeking the .spots wliere "dead
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubj, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectmollusks
