58 ANABATID^E. MUGILID^E; MULLETS. 



the caudal fin, when present, is always distinct from the dorsal. 

 They are found, but not abundantly, in most seas, and some of 

 them attain a large size; the Gymnetrus Banksii, a British 

 species, being sometimes twelve feet long. 



619. The peculiar structure of the succeeding family, ANA- 

 BATID^E, has been already mentioned ( 558) ; and it adapts them 

 to a mode of life which the circumstances of this climate do not 

 render necessary. In cold or temperate regions, the ponds and 

 streams, which are capable of supporting fish at all, are not dried 

 up, except in seasons of extreme drought: but in tropical coun- 

 tries there are many situations, in which there is an ample 

 supply both of food and water for Fish during the rainy season ; 

 but a complete deficiency of both, when this is succeeded by the 

 periodical drought. Such receptacles can only be tenanted 

 by Fish, which, like the Anabas, are furnished with the 

 peculiar pharyngeal apparatus (Fig. 360) for keeping the gills 

 moist ; since, when one pond or stream is dried up, they can 

 migrate in search of another. In the course of these journeys, 

 they climb up steep banks, and even trees ; and by a remark- 

 able instinct, they seem always to travel towards the nearest 

 water. This family contains a considerable number of genera, 

 all of which are inhabitants of fresh-water ; none have been 

 hitherto found except in the south-ea^t of Asia and the adjacent 

 islands, and in Southern Africa. 



620. This family is succeeded by that of MUGTLID^E, or the 

 true Mullets; which are distinguished by several remarkable 

 peculiarities of structure. Their body is nearly cylindrical, and 

 is covered with large scales ; the head is broad and flat, and is 

 covered with large angular sca'y plates ; and the stomach is fur- 

 nished with fleshy walls, giving it a resemblance to the gizzard 

 of a Bird. The Mullets associate in large shoals, and chiefly 

 inhabit the mouths of rivers, where they are often seen making 

 high leaps. They feed upon small Crabs and other Crustacea, 

 which they swallow entire ; and the almost total want of 

 teeth is compensated by the powerful gizzard, which serves 

 to grind down their food. The Grey Mullet is one of those 

 fishes, which, habitually living at the mouths of rivers, where 



