GENUS MULLUS. STRIPED SURMULLET. 141 



migratory, and yet may be procured in the shops of 

 the London fishmongers throughout the year ; being, 

 however, more plentiful in summer, when their 

 colours are most vivid, and the fish in highest con- 

 dition. They take a wide range in the water, their 

 common habit being to keep close to the ground, 

 and their migrations being performed near the sur- 

 face. Hence they are sometimes taken in the 

 Mackerel nets upon the surface, and at other times 

 by the trawl net on the bed of the ocean. Some- 

 times they are captured in great profusion, and at 

 other times are very scarce. In August 1819, 

 5000 were taken in one night in Weymouth Bay ; 

 and 10,000 were sent, in May 1831, from Yar- 

 mouth to the London market. Though not re- 

 garded equal, as an article of food, to the preceding 

 species, still they are much esteemed. 



