226 



THE PLAIN RED MULLET. 



The Cuvier's Bodian is a species spread over the greater part of the Indian seas, and 

 caught, though it appears but rarely, on the coasts of Ceylon, being most frequently captured 

 on the southern shores and upon rocky ground. The Cingalese name is Deweeboraloowah. 

 In color it is a remarkably handsome fish, though not of such pure primary tints as others 

 which will presently be mentioned. The color of this fish is yellowish-brown on the back, 

 changing gradually to reddish-gray on the sides, and fading to simple gray on the abdomen. 

 The head, tail, and fins are bright golden-yellow, and the bars and patches of darker color are 

 deep chocolate-brown. Its average length is from eighteen to twenty inches. 



THE next family, the Mullidse, finds a well-known representative in the common SUR- 

 MULLET, sometimes called the STRIPED RED MULLET, on account of the yellow longitudinal 

 stripes that are drawn along the body. 



SUEMDLLET. JUuUus surmuletvs. 



This fish is celebrated for the excellence of its flesh, and in the time of the ancients was 

 one of the most costly luxuries that the wealthy epicure could place upon his table, from two 

 hundred to three hundred dollars being paid for a fish weighing six or seven pounds. These 

 dimensions are but rarely reached, and never, as it is believed, on cold shores. The liver is 

 held to be the best part of this fish, but the whole of its flesh is firm, white, and delicately 

 flavored. Its value in the market is extremely variable, owing to its migratory habits, being 

 at one time caught by hundreds in the trawl or mackerel nets, while at other times there is not 

 a single individual to be found. There seems, however, to be one definite rule in its migra- 

 tions, namely, that it approaches the shore in the summer time, and in the winter retires into 

 deep water, whence it can only be taken in the trawl net. 



AKOTHER species of this genus is the PLAIN RED MULLET (Mullus barbdtus). 



In general habits it closely resembles the preceding species, but may be distinguished 

 from that fish by the almost vertical line of the head, which rises abruptly from the muzzle 

 to the eyes, and by the different coloring. In the Plain Red Mullet the back is light pink, 

 the sides and part of the abdomen dark red, and there is a single yellow streak below the 

 lateral line. 



A RATHER extensive genus belonging to the present family cannot be passed over without 

 some notice, as it contains many fish which are remarkable for their form and coloring, if not 

 for their habits or utilities. 



