SURMULLETS. 75 



Genus Mullus. (Linn.) 



The European Surmullets are distinguished by 

 having the characters already enumerated more 

 strongly developed ; the head is very abrupt, the 

 profile nearly vertical, the gill-cover is smooth, 

 and destitute of any spine ; the teeth on the palate 

 and in the lower jaw very minute. 



Of the two species which form this genus, both 

 of which are marked in catalogues as British, one 

 is as common as the other is rare. The former is 



SURMULLET. 



the Striped Surmullet {Mullus surmuletus, Linn.), 

 and is found in our fish- markets throughout the 

 year, though in greatest abundance during the 

 summer months. It is commonly about ten inches 

 or a foot in length, and is rarely known to exceed 

 fourteen inches. Its form and general appearance 

 will be recognised from the accompanying en- 

 graving, but it should be seen alive, or at least 

 just dead, to convey a notion of its beauty, which 

 depends on its evanescent hues. The ground- 



