70 THE FRESH-WATER FISHES OF EUROPE. 



together. The lips are not covered by the nasal bones. The interspace be- 

 tween the mandible and the inter-opercular elements is broad in the anterior 

 part, but tapers both in front and behind. It extends well behind the orbits. 

 The scales are nearly as long- as high, and extend as far forward as the snout. 



The pectoral fin terminates at the eighth or ninth scale in the longitudinal 

 series. The first dorsal fin commences at the twelfth or thirteenth scale, and the 

 second fin begins at the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth scale. On the sides of 

 the body the scales have the aspect of being arranged in parallel longitudinal 

 series. These scales have the free border rather angular, and the base truncate. 

 Fine stria? are seen on the covered part of the scale, and minute asperities 

 extend over the exposed part. On the summit of the head and snout the 

 scales are much smaller, and are sometimes deformed. 



The colour is a dark steel-blue on the back, the sides are paler, and the 

 abdomen silvery-white. 



There are seven to eight dark longitudinal stripes on the sides, which extend 

 along the series of scales, and there is usually a blackish spot above the base 

 of the pectoral, which is situate above the middle of the side of the body. 

 The ventral fin is midway between the pectoral fin and the spinous dorsal ; 

 its base is usually orange-coloured. 



The Grey Mullet feeds on soft and fat food, preferring that in which 

 decomposition has commenced. The only living prey which Couch observed it 

 to take is the common sand-worm. This observer states that it is most readily 

 taken with bait formed of the fat entrails of a fish, or cabbage boiled in broth. 



It spawns about Midsummer in the sea ; and in August the young, which 

 are then about an inch long, are seen entering fresh waters. 



The fish is taken in rivers when the tide is coming in, as it returns with 

 the ebb to salt water. 



Grey Mullet have been confined in a fresh-water pond in Guernsey and in 

 France, with the result that the fish grew fat, deep, and heavy, and improved 

 more in fresh water than any other salt-water fish similarly treated. 



There are twelve vertebra? in the abdomen, and the same number in the 

 caudal region. 



Mugil cephalus (CDVIER). 



1 D. 4, 2 D. 1/8, A. 3/8, V. 1/5, P. 2/16. 



The distribution of this species is very similar to that of Mugil capito. 

 It is common on the west coast of Africa, in the Mediterranean, and in the 

 Nile. In Italy it is known as Muggine cefalo. It enters most of the rivers 

 in the peninsula, and is especially common about Venice. In France it is 



