268 PERCOIDES. 



men is silvery, and the fins are tipped with a live- 

 ly blue shade. Its figure is really elegant, there 

 being a peculiar plumpness, and at the same time 

 hardness, invariably indicating a delicate table fish. 

 We have not yet obtained a mullet in the waters 

 of Massachusetts, though we are assured one 

 species does exist. 



In the Literary and Philosophical Society's 

 Transactions of New York, we find mention made 

 of the New York mullet, mugil albula, having 

 twelve or thirteen rows of scales on a side. Not- 

 withstanding the minute description there given, 

 we think that there must be some mistake, and 

 our private opinion is, that no other species than 

 the red mullet is a native fish ; yet we have been 

 particular in the scientific description, that it may 

 lead to further examination. 



If mullets are ever detected on these shores, 

 they are to be sought for in rocky localities, where 

 the water is clear and pure. There are places 

 where all experience teaches that particular tribes 

 have a certain penchant, as the halibut for one, and 

 the perches for another. Let the depredations be 

 ever so flagrant on the colony's grounds, they are 

 rarely discouraged, but endeavor to maintain their 

 station by the mass of inhabitants, whose front is 

 presented to the persevering enemy. In this re- 



