STRIPED RED MULLET. 29 



large size. The largest for which I possess any authority oc- 

 curred several years since. This Mullet weighed three 

 pounds six ounces, was in the highest perfection, and 

 beautiful in colour. It was sent from Weymouth as a 

 present to the late Thomas Palmer, Esq. of Berkeley- 

 square. 



The Striped Red Mullet has been considered migratory ; 

 but it appears in the shops of the London fishmongers 

 throughout the year, though in much greater plenty during 

 May and June, at which time their colours are most vivid, 

 and the fish, as food, in the best condition. If closely ex- 

 amined, it will be observed that where the scales happen not 

 to have been removed, the natural colour is little more than a 

 pale pink, passing into white on the belly, the lower part of 

 the sides having three or four yellow longitudinal stripes ; but 

 that the mixture of purple and bright red which ornaments 

 various parts of the fish is the consequence of violence : 

 every scale removed by force and but little is necessary 

 increases this colour ; it is produced by extra vasated blood 

 lying under the transparent cuticle, but above the true 

 skin. 



These fish take a wide range through the water. Many 

 are caught in mackerel-nets near the surface during that 

 fishing season ; but the principal supply is derived from the 

 trawl-net, which traverses the bottom, and encloses these and 

 other fish in a manner that will be hereafter described. The 

 Mullets occur sometimes in profusion, at other times are 

 exceedingly scarce, owing to the fish shifting or changing 

 their ground, remaining unmolested till accident or persever- 

 ance betrays to the trawler their new locality, which on the 

 southern coast is sometimes several miles east or west of their 

 previous position. 



