MUGIL. 271 



the water over the nest. Below this are the eggs, 

 placed on a bunch of fallen leaves or grass, if it be 

 the litteral species^ which they cut and collect to- 

 gether. By what means this is effected, seems 

 rather mysterious, as the species are destitute of 

 cutting teeth. It may possibly be by the use of 

 their arms, which form the first ray of the pecto- 

 ral fins." 



GEN. SARMULLUS. 



Red Mullet, — Mullus Barbatus. Red mul- 

 lets have appeared, within the last few years, in 

 the neighborhood of Boston, but not being at all 

 prized, a few only have been exhibited in the 

 market. 



It has a sloping head, two cirri under the chin, 

 three rays in the branchial membrane, and two 

 dorsal fins ; the eyes of the variety of which we 

 are speaking, are wonderfully large, light colored 

 and watery, — and out of all proportion to the 

 body, which averages fourteen inches in length. 



As the severity of winter increases, the surmul- 

 let seeks the shore ; it is in winter, therefore, and 

 only then, they are caught. It was one of the 

 luxuries in the most corrupt age of Rome, to have 

 these red fishes swimming in a vessel, under the 

 tables of the opulent, that guests might enjoy the 

 refined pleasure of seeing the color fade away, as 



