GREY MULLETS. 



)03 



The intestinal tract shows no less peculiarities. The 

 lower portion of the cesophagus is provided with numerous 

 long thread-like papillse, and continued into the oblong-ovoid 

 membranaceous ccecal portion of the stomach, the mucosa of 

 which forms several longitudinal folds. The second portion 

 of the stomach reminds one of the stomach of birds ; it 

 communicates laterally with the other portion, is globular, 

 and surrounded by an exceedingly strong muscle. This 

 muscle is not divided into two as in birds, but of great thick- 

 ness in the whole circumference of the stomach, all the 

 muscular fasciculi being circularly arranged. The internal 

 cavity of this stomach is rather small, and coated with a 

 tough epithelium, longitudinal folds running from the entrance 

 opening to the pyloric, which is situated opposite to the other. 

 A low circular valve forms a pylorus. There are five rather 

 short pyloric appendages. The intestines make a great num- 

 ber of circumvolutions, and are seven feet long in a specimen 

 thirteen inches in length. 



Some seventy species of Grey Mullets are known, the 

 majority of which attain to a weight of about four pounds, but 



Fig. 229. — Mugil proboscideiis. 



there are many wliich grow to ten and twelve pounds. All are 

 eaten, and some even esteemed, especially when taken out of 

 fresh water. If attention were paid to their cultivation, great 

 profits could be made by fry being transferred into suitable 



