THE ATHERINES AND GREY MULLETS. 



373 



2. The Gkey Mullets, 



This is one of the handsomest and wariest of our sea- 

 fish, wandering up some of our rivers, notably up the 



^ Sussex Arun. In colour it is silvery, with 



Urey or p t 



Thin-lipped dark bands, the metallic lustre fading very 



Mullet. rapidly after death. Having no teeth, a de- 



fect in its digestive arrangements which is in part compen- 

 sated by the presence of a gizzard-like arrangement in the 



stomach, this fish feeds entirely on small soft substances, 

 among which are various weeds. To varieties of this fish 

 are now ascribed more than one of the so-called British 

 species. According to some authorities, the grey mullet 

 spawns twice in the year, but this appears very doubtful. 



The other distinct British form is more gregarious than 

 the last, and also attains to a greater weight. I have taken 



this species in the Mediterranean weighing 

 or Thick- close on 9 lbs. At Dover and elsewhere in 

 lipped the Channel I have seen the two species 



swimming together. This would appear to 

 be the commoner species on the Devonshire coast ; indeed 

 it is the only species that Cunningham has ever observed 

 at Plymouth. 



