244 ACANTHOPTERYGII. MULLET FAMILY. 



La Ranee and other rivers in the north of Brittany 

 in prodigious quantities in the spring months, which 

 led Duhamel to remark that they were quite a 

 manna spread over the country, during Lent. This 

 Naturalist also observes that they are so delicate 

 that they expire the moment they are taken from 

 the water ; and Mr. Couch states that during severe 

 frosts large quantities are sometimes killed, and left 

 by the tide. According to this last authority, the 

 Atherine is found in Cornwall at all seasons, and 

 sometimes in such numbers that three small boat- 

 loads have been inclosed in a seine at once. It is 

 considered a delicacy at Brighton, and is in request 

 during the winter months. It possesses something 

 of the cucumber flavour of the True Smelt, and be- 

 ing pretty in appearance, from the fine silver stripe 

 on the side, and attractive as arranged by the fish- 

 mongers in their shops, it attains a ready sale. 



For the nets employed and the means used by 

 the fishermen in capturing this and other fish, we 

 gladly refer to the more ample and elegant pages of 

 Mr. Yarrell, where much interesting information is 

 collected on these subjects. Numbers are also 

 caught by anglers from projecting rocks, Poole Quay 

 being a favourite spot. The little creatures take 

 voraciously every bait that is offered them, even 

 when heaviest with roe; a practice, according to 

 Mr. Yarrell, not usual with fishes. 



Of the remaining genera of this Family, one only 

 has any species known as British. It is 



Gen. XXXYIII. Mtjgil— The True Mullets, 





