It is said to be an ancient custom for the city of Gloucester to present for the royal table, once every year, a pie of Lampreys, covered with a raised crust. King Henry I. met his death through his fondness for this worm-like fish; his mortal sickness having been produced by eating to excess of Lampreys, after a day spent in hunting.

There are one or two other species of the genus found in our waters, but they are small, and of no importance.