60 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



with a live sand-eel, or an artificial indiarubber bait, are 

 found very killing ; also a soft crab, slice from a mackerel's 

 tail, or slip of a cuttle-fish. 



Breeding. During the autumn months, near the mouths 

 of large rivers, or along sandy beaches. 



As food. Its flesh is considered excellent if eaten on 

 the same day that the fish is captured, but it rapidly 

 deteriorates, and then possesses a strong and oily taste. 



Habitat. It is most common in Britain during the 

 summer months, and more especially along the south 

 coast, decreasing in numbers towards the north, but is 

 present off the Isle of Man. In Scotland it is rare to the 

 north of the Firth of Forth, and has not been recorded 

 from the Orkneys and Shetland Isles. In Ireland it is 

 known, but not abundant, along the south coast, but 

 decreases towards the north. 



Yarrell records one of 28 Ib. weight ; Buckland one of 

 22 Ib., from Herne Bay ; and Pennant one of 1 5 Ib. 



FAMILY II. RED MULLETS (Mullidcf). 



Geographical distribution. From Scandinavia through 

 the seas of temperate Europe, as far south in the Atlantic 

 as Madeira and the Canary Isles ; also found in the Medi- 

 terranean, Adriatic, and Black Seas. 



This fish was termed Trigle by the ancient Greeks under 

 the supposition of its breeding three times every year, or 

 else, according to Athenseus, that it only bred three times 

 throughout its entire existence, due to its internal organs 

 becoming destroyed by parasitic worms. The Romans are 

 said to have changed its name to Mullus, it has been 

 conjectured owing to its colour, which resembled that of 

 the sandals worn by the Alban kings, and subsequently by 



