LECTURE VIII. 67 



Which Appear on the surface of our seas during 

 the vernal season, were in reality at no great dis- 

 tance during the severity of winter, having only 

 quitted the deep retreats of the ocean for the shal- 

 lower parts near the shores, where they hasten at 

 that season of the year in order to deposit their 

 spawn. 



Tiie genus Mullus or Mullet consists of Fishes 

 distinguished by a pair of very long barbs or soft 

 processes at the tip of the lower jaw. One of 

 the principal species is the red Mullet or the Sur- 

 mullet, the favourite luxury of the ancient Ro- 

 mans, who gave the most extravagant sums for it, 

 and had it brought to table in a glass vessel, before 

 the feast began, in order that the guests might 

 contemplate the elegant changes of its colour 

 during the minutes of its expiration; the natural 

 rosy red, exhibiting at that time the most beautiful 

 flushings and alternate paleness, till at length all 

 fades into a dull grey. 



The concluding genus of the Thoracic Fishes 

 is that of Trigla, containing the Gurnards: they 

 are distinguished by a large head, roughed with 

 sharp lines, and have spiny gill-covers. Of this 



