GREA T BRIT A IN. 6 1 



the Roman Consuls, and which were afterwards adopted 

 by their Emperors under the designation of Mullens. 



Mullets in the time of the Caesars seem almost to have 

 divided with them the allegiance of the Roman people, 

 all of whom were desirous that it should adorn their tables 

 and give eclat to their entertainments, perhaps because this 

 fish realised high prices in Rome, where the purchaser who 

 paid the most extortionate sum obtained notoriety. As 

 much as 240 was realised for a red mullet of unusual 

 size procured upon the day of a grand feast. But as time 

 went on the abnormal value decreased, until in the fourth 

 century we are told by Macrobius that it was not excessive. 

 When, however, this fish was at the summit of its glory, 

 Rome was no longer able to supply sufficient, consequently 

 it was imported from Corsica, Sicily, and elsewhere. Salt- 

 water vivaria were constructed at an enormous expense, 

 but Columnella observed that hardly one red mullet out of 

 a thousand survived its transfer to such localities, which he 

 ascribed to their nobility spurning confinement. Seneca 

 tells us that at their feasts those were most valued which 

 expired in the presence of the guests. Introduced in glass 

 globes, the red mullet was drowned in piquant sauces, or 

 slowly boiled on the banqueting table before the company, 

 who were thus enabled to view the varied and beautiful 

 changing hues of the dying fish. 



i. Red Mullet, or Surmullet (Mttllus barbatus and 

 M. surmuletus). 



Names. Known as the red mullet, surmullet, plain red 

 mullet, striped red mullet. 



B. iv., D. 7-8 | i, V. A. , L. 1. 38-40, L. tr. ^, C^c. 

 pyl. 1 8 -22, Vert. -f. 



Length of head 4 to 4.1 height of body 34 to 41 in the 



