GENERA AND SPECIES. 115 



sal, 55 in its anal, 32 in its caudal, 15 in its pectorals, and 6 in its 

 ventrals. It has a barbule on each side of the snout, and one on the 

 lower jaw. In colour it is brownish, becoming paler on the sides ; 

 and in length it reaches at least 4^ inches. 



Mugil. Plate xi. MUGILID&. 



85. capita, GREY MULLET. Anal begins almost half-way between the 



dorsals. 



86. chelo, LESSER GREY MULLET. Anal -begins almost in a line 



with second dorsal. 



In the Grey Mullet there are 4 spines in the first dorsal, in the 

 second there are a spine and 8 or 9 rays ; in the anal are 3 spines 

 and 8 or 9 rays, in the caudal 17 rays, in the pectorals 17 rays, in 

 the ventrals a spine and 5 rays. The caudal is large ; the dorsals 

 are wide apart. The upper lip is not thickened. In colour this 

 fish is silvery, with stripes along the back and sides ; the fins are 

 grey. It attains a length of 3 feet, and is a surface feeder in shallow 

 waters, moving up rivers in shoals with the tide, and apparently 

 delighting in oily foods. 



The Lesser Grey Mullet has 4 spines in the first dorsal, and a 

 spine and 8 rays in the second ; in the anal are 3 spines and 9 or 10 

 rays, in the caudal 15 rays, in the pectorals 17, in the ventrals 

 a spine and 5 rays. The caudal is large and the scales are large. 

 The upper lip is thickened, and has rows of papillae. In colour 

 this species is grey with bronze reflections, and dark lines along 

 the scales. It generally measures a foot, but has been known as 

 large as 3 feet in length. Like the other, it is very quick of 

 hearing, and is gregarious and generally found in estuaries. It 

 burrows in search of food, and seems to have some special fondness 

 for the grass-wrack, Zoster a marina. 



Mullus. Plate ii. MULLIDJE. 



8. barbatus, RED MULLET. Body not striped. 



9. surmulletus, STRIPED MULLET. Body striped. 



The Red Mullet has 7 or 8 spines in the first dorsal, and a spine 

 and 8 rays in the second ; in the anal are 2 spines and 6 rays, in the 

 caudal 15 rays, in the pectorals from 16 to 18 rays, in the ventrals a 

 spine and 5 rays. The spines of the first dorsal are flat and weak 

 at the ends, and the front spine is very short. The scales are large ; 

 there are from 38 to 40 in the lateral line, the tubes of which are 

 much branched. The forehead, nape, cheeks, and gill covers are 

 scaly. In colour, this rather rare fish is a plain red ; in length it 

 reaches 17 inches. It feeds at the bottom as well as at the surface, 

 and for most of the year keeps out at sea, but in July comes into 

 shallow, sandy ground among seaweed-covered rocks. 



The Striped Mullet is little better than a variety. Its fins are 

 similar in all respects, except that the dorsals are banded. The 

 profile is more oblique. The body is pale pink, with yellowish 



