The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1891-08-15

nests or towers are often found in a
comparatively restricted area, 80
that in "toting" the stones the little
builders have to cross each others
nests, and it is not impossible that
sometimes stones are slyly taken
from each others nests, though it is
fair to say that such sharp practices
have not been observed. Among
the sun fishes, that are also nest
builders, invaders are challenged
and promptly driven from the neigh
borhood.
Among the most remarkable of
the stonemasons or builders are the
lamprey cells. OF all fishes they
would hardly be accorded any es-
pecial intelligence, and certainly
they are repellant creatures, the
long snake-likc bodies, the curious
sucker-like mouth being features
far from attractive. Yet the lamp
reys show not a little intelligence
in their work, and among fishes are
most remarkable as "stone toters. I"
When the breeding time arrives the
cells apparently decide. to form a
community, all the individuals
working for the common good. II
we watch them carefully we shall
see that they are searching for stones
and pebbles. Many 60 upstream,
and when a pebble of suitable size
is found fasten their sucking mouth
to it, and, lifting it, 60 struggling
down the current to the site selected,
where it is dropped. In the Saco
river, near it's mouth, remarkable
tower of this kind can be seen,
where the fishes have undoubtedly
been working for several years.
This mound is 5 or 20 feet in length,
partly arched or bent, so that it re-
sembles the beginning of a dam.
Some of the stones are as large as
half brick 80 heavy that but for
what is now known how they were
transported it would be considered
impossible for a fish to have carried
them but the act has been observed.
When the transportation of a large
stone becomes necessary two cells
combine forces, fastening their
sucker-like mouths to the object,
and wriggling vigorously thus lift
ing it from the bottom and aided by
the current, and with many stops
and rests, bearing it down to the
nest where it is dropped. Scores
of cells may be seen thus employed.
Some work singly, others by twos,
all engaged in piling up the castle
that is to be the home for their lit
tie ones. With so many workers
we may we'll expect the stone fort
ress to grow rapidly, and in sue
ceeding years to attain large size
Finally, after days of "stone toting''
the nest is considered ready. Now
the eels may be seen about it in
large numbers, and soon the eggs
are deposited, being washed into
the interstices of the pile and there
finding protection from sly and pre-
datory fishes that prowl about In
search of such tid-bits.
When the eggs hatch and the
young cells appear there is still an
other surprise. The close observer
might we'll be misled, as when the
little ones appear to take posses
sion of the fortress, they do moi
resemble the parents, and for LONG
time we're considered separate and
distinct fishes, and called amorcites
For three years they are singular
little creatures, the mouth toothless
and surrounded by little feelers
even the eyes that are minute being
covered over with a layer of skin
Finally the young lampreys assume
the form of their parents, and art
ready to begin castle building
themselves.
The nests of lampreys differ tt
some extent in different localities
Thus some have been seen to dif
holes and deposit their eggs beneath
stones or in various hooks and cor
ners, illustrating the fact that among
the very lowest animals we find ev
idence not only of intelligence, bu
an exhibition of care for the yount
that calls to mind many animal!
much higher in the scale of liie.