CHAPTER VJ. 



ODDS AND ENDS, AND A FEW OF ALL SORTS. 



The Grey Mullett. 



In my concluding chapter I purpose treating on a few stray fish, 

 without any attempt to classify them as belonging to any particular 

 order or family. Few if any of these, with the exception of the 

 eel and burbot can be considered as belonging to the fresh water, 

 which in fact some of them never venture into ; but as they ap- 

 proach near enough to the shore to afford good sport to the angler, 

 it would be hardly just to my readers if I were to pass them by 

 unnoticed ; particularly as some of them supply excellent diversion 

 where no other kind of fishing can possibly be obtained. 



The grey mullet is so named from its colour, which is a dark 

 leaden grey on the back, growing lighter towards the sides, till 

 it approaches the belly, which is silvery white. It is armed with 

 a spiny dorsal fin like the basse and perch, but that of the mullet 

 only consists of four spines, whereas the basse has nine, and the 

 perch twelve. The mullet has also a sharp spine on the pectoral, 

 ventral, and anal fins, which are found exceedingly troublesome to 

 the angler's hands in unhooking these fish. 



In shape the mullet differs from most other fish, being remarkable 

 for the roundness of its form, which is nearly cylindrical, and has 

 been vulgarly though not unaptly compared to that most useful 

 domestic article, a rollingpin. The head is wide, and remarkably 



