THE MULLETS. 367 



the menhaden, it is not only caught extensively by man, but is the main 

 article of food for all the larger fishes, and is the best bait fish of the 

 regions in which it occurs. In the discussion .of the habits of the Mullet, 

 when it is not otherwise stated, the Striped Mullet, which is in our waters 

 by far the most important species, is kept chiefly in mind. 



Since the time of Capt. John Smith every observer has remarked upon 

 the great abundance of Mullets. Numerous correspondents of the Fish 

 Commission, from Wilmington south, agree that the Mullet is far more 

 abundant than any other species, except Mr. Simpson, who thinks that at 

 Cape Hatteras they are less numerous than the tailors or blue-fish, and 

 about as numerous as the fat-backs or menhaden. 



In 1875 circulars were sent out by the United States Fish Commission, 

 asking information concerning the habits of the Mullet. The replies, 

 although suggestive, were not sufficiently numerous to afford the data 

 necessary for a complete biography of this species. In fact its habits are 

 so peculiar that in order to understand them it will be necessary for some 

 naturalist to devote a considerable period of time to study them through- 

 out the whole extent of their range. At present, therefore, I propose to 

 present first the results of my own observations upon this fish, as it occurs 

 in Eastern Florida, supplementing them with the excellent study of the 

 Gulf Mullet from the pen of Mr. Stearns. 



Mullets abound in the St. John's River, sometimes running up to the 

 lakes, and along the coast in all the inland bays, or " salt-water rivers." 

 It is probably incorrect to call them anadromous. They appear to ascend 

 the rivers to feed, and the relative saltness of the water is a matter of 

 small importance. Small mullet are abundant all the year round, and so 

 are scattered individuals of a larger size. Cast-nets at Mayport take 

 them throughout the year. I have taken quantities of small fish, from one 

 to five inches long, in the St. John's near Arlington. They begin to 

 assemble in schools in midsummer. This is probably preparatory to 

 spawning, for at this time the ova are beginning to mature. In midsum- 

 mer they swim at the surface, pursued by enemies in the water and the air, 

 and are an easy prey to the fishermen. They prefer to swim against the 

 wind, and, I am told, school best with a northeast wind. They also pre- 

 fer to run against the tide. The spawning season appears to continue 

 from the middle of November to the middle of January, and the weight 

 of evidence tends to show that they spawn in brackish or salt water. 



