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SURMULLET. 



I have known a Surmullet to measure sixteen inches in 

 length, but being thin in flesh it did not exceed forty ounces 

 in weight. The form is but a little compressed, and flattened 

 on the belly. The eyes elevated; head proportionally large, 

 sloping gradually, and in a waved outline to the mouth. 

 Upper jaw a little the longest; teeth in the lower jaw only; 

 a roughness, rather than teeth, in the palate; two long barbs 

 beneath the lower jaw, which are received into a depression 

 beneath. Several mucous orifices between the upper jaw and 

 eye. The back elevated; body and cheeks covered with large 

 scales, which are easily removed; those on the lateral line 

 perforated, having a rayed ridge in their longitudinal direc- 

 tion: this line is gently curved. The first dorsal fin with 

 spinous rays, which gradually shorten from the first; second 

 dorsal opposite the anal; the first ray of the former spinous, 

 the latter fin nearly triangular. The pectorals narrow and 

 pointed; ventrals long and wide; tail concave. 



The colours are subject to some variation, but are always 

 rich and brilliant, but more so in life than after death. The 

 back, head, and generally the fins, red or scarlet, which is 

 softened on the cheeks and sides, and still fainter on the 

 belly; along the sides four yellow stripes, the lowest reaching 

 only half the length of the body. The anterior dorsal fin 

 with a broad diagonal stripe of bright yellow. Of five of 

 these fishes caught together, four were of the more usual 

 colour, but the fifth was much the most splendid in its appear- 

 ance, the belly being also of the most brilliant crimson. The 

 lines on the sides were scarcely to be discerned, but as life 

 declined the colour became more faint, and the lines became 

 conspicuous as in the others. 



Skull of the Surmullet. 



Pectoral scales. 



