236 MTJGILID.E. 



how many Mediterranean species have been recorded as oc- 

 curring along the line of our southern shore. 



One of our most common Grey Mullets may therefore be 

 considered as the M. capita of Cuvier, an inhabitant not 

 only of the Mediterranean, but also of all the western shores 

 of the more temperate part of Europe. 



This fish is found plentifully in Cornwall and Devonshire, 

 and along the whole line of our south coast. It occurs con- 

 stantly on the Kentish and Essex coast ; is taken at Yar- 

 mouth : Mr. Neill has met with it at the mouth of the Esk ; 

 and it has been traced to the Baltic and the west coast of 

 Norway, as previously quoted. 



Mr. Couch, in his MS., has described the habits of this 

 fish so much better than any account I could offer of my 

 own, that I shall be excused quoting his remarks at some 

 length. 



" This fish never goes to a great distance from land, but 

 delights in shallow water when the weather is warm and fine ; at 

 which time it is seen prowling near the margin in search of 

 food, and imprinting a dimple on the placid surface as it 

 snatches beneath any oily substance that may chance to be 

 swimming. It ventures to some distance up rivers, but 

 always returns with the tide. Carew, the Cornish historian, 

 had a pond of salt water, in which these fish were kept ; and 

 he says, that having been accustomed to feed them at a cer- 

 tain place every evening, they became so tame, that a knock- 

 ing like that of chopping would certainly cause them to 

 assemble. The intelligence this argues may also be inferred 

 from the skill and vigilance this fish displays in avoiding 

 danger, more especially in effecting its escape in circum- 

 stances of great peril. When enclosed within a ground-scan 

 or sweep-net, as soon as the danger is seen, and before the 

 limits of its range are straitened, and when even the end of 

 the net might be passed, it is its common habit to prefer the 



