10 GREY MULLET. 



throat, by which all that is stout or rough becomes rejected, 

 and then blown out of the mouth; after which what forms the 

 food is received into the firm and muscular stomach, that for 

 substance resembles the gizzard of a fowl. By the action of 

 this organ what is capable of affording nourishment becomes 

 digested, and the remainder is passed on through a thinner 

 portion of the stomach to be finally expelled at the vent. 



Oppian has taken notice of a delicate trait in the character 

 of this fish, in an action which however is sometimes noticed 

 of other species when not very eager for food, and which action 

 is also mentioned by Ovid: 



"The scenting Mullet creeps with slow advance, 

 And views the bait with coy-retorted glance. 

 First with his tail he feels the bait, and tries 

 If vital warmth the beating pulse supplies, 

 For Mullets always spare the living prize; 

 Then slightly nibbles, but perceives too late 

 The doubted fraud, and feels the pungent fate.' 



The form of the mouth and narrowness of the gullet form 

 a hindrance which prevents this fish from swallowing a hook 

 of even small size; and generally the close examination which 

 is made of the texture of what is to be admitted might appear 

 a sufficient guard against the reception of anything that might 

 endanger its salety; yet the Mullet is not unfrequently caught 

 with a line, and the misfortune itself is the result of those 

 very actions which seem best fitted to ensure its safety. The 

 close pressure of the lips on the bait will cause the point of 

 the hook to pierce the flesh, and in this way the fish falls a 

 victim of mischance, when, however, no slight skill and patience 

 are required to bring the prize safely to land. The baits 

 employed are a small soft worm, some fatty substance, or 

 cabbage boiled in animal broth; and Oppian mentions, as an 

 ordinary bait in his day, a mixture of curds of milk with flour 

 and an infusion of mint, fastened on an ordinary hook. 



But the Mullet is more frequently sought for Avith the net, 

 and it is in its encounter with this that the large amount of 

 its watchful intelligence and activity are displayed. As we are 

 informed that this fish is an inhabitant of the Mediterranean 

 through its whole length, and, according to Mr. Frazer, "Travels 



