308 



MARKETABLE BRITISH MARINE FISHES 



extreme end of the projecting portion (Fig. 140.) There are black 

 pigment specks on the body of the larva, none on the fin-mem- 

 brane. The yolk was absorbed and the mouth open when the 

 larva was seven days old. 



The young at later stages are captured at Naples in June, 

 July, and August : they are about an inch long and are already 

 provided with the barbels. They differ from the adults in being 



FIG. 140. Larva of the Red Mullet : after Raffaele. 



more slender, and being completely silvery. Later in the year 

 they are found in a more developed condition, red spots com- 

 mencing to appear. 



Young mullet, probably a year old and about 3 inches long, 

 have been taken in seines in Plymouth Sound or its estuaries, in 

 summer. Like many other fish they retire from the coasts in 

 winter and approach them in summer, when they are often taken 

 in seines both on the coast and in estuaries. 



