LAMPREY (OF_ Fr. lamproir. It. lampreda, from AIL. lam Imola, lamprtra, lamprey, front ianthere, to lick + petra. rock; in allusion to the fish's habit of attaching itself to rocks by it-' suctorial mouth). Au eel-like animal of the family Petromyzontidw. of the class branchii (q.v.) or round-mouth eels. Lampreys. or `lamperns,' are characterized by the possession of a circular mouth formed for sucking instead of true jaws. They are eel-shaped and have no scale-. There are seven roundish gill-orifices on each side. through which the water is expelled. thus effecting respiration. They attach selves to stones and other objects by their mouths, and also to fishes. from which they sernpe the flesh by their rasping teeth. They will also eat other small animals or even dead matter. There are seven genera aml about fifteen species. Lampreys generally ascend rivers or brooks at the spawning season, and afterwards many of the individuals die. The lampreys
undergo a metamorphosis, the young differing front the adult in the rudimentary eyes, absence of teeth, larger brain, and other structural char acters. These larval forms have been described as different genera. No undoubted fossil remains of lampreys are known; they have no hard structures except the 'teeth' to be preserved. The common marine or 'great-sea' lamprey (Pctromyzon marinas) occurs in both Europe and America, and attains a length of three feet. The small lamprey common in the lakes and streams of the Mississippi Valley is Ichthyomyzon con color. Another species. common in Europe, is Lampctra fluriatilis. The lampreys are highly regarded as food by some people. For an ex tended description of their structure and habits, consult Goode, Fishery Industries, see. i. (Wash ington, 1884). See Plate of LAMPREYS AND Doc I ism