142 



ORIGIN OF TERM ANGEL FISH. 



uncommon at Brighton and Hastings. The name angel- 

 fish is given them on account of the fins on each side 

 of the body, which are very large and very flexible. I 

 expect the name angel was given in old Roman Catholic 

 times, as its wings somewhat resemble the wings of an 

 angel, as we see represented by old masters in pictures 

 or glass windows of foreign cathedrals and churches. 

 Mr. Searle made a cast of this grand fish for the museum, 

 where I have also another specimen, but not so big. 



Acanihopteri. 



MULLET RED AND GRAY- 



(Mugilida and GobioidcE.) 



Mugilidte. 



Mullets (MikjU capito). These fish are not fre- 

 quently captm-ed in the deep sea, but are fishes of the 

 shore, seeking shallow creeks, where they have been cap- 

 tured in vast quantities. They have scarcely any ofi^en- 

 sive weapons : their teeth being small and delicate, often 

 almost imperceptible ; and hence, notwithstanding their 

 size, they can scarcely attack any other fish, though 



GREY MULLET [MlKjU Capito). 



liable to the assaults of many enemies. They are, how- 

 ever, gifted with a remarkable instinct, which^aids them 

 in their efforts to escape danger. 



Only three species are known as British , of which the 

 Grey Mullet is the most common. The usual size of 



