FISHES. 17 



spots, and found on the western coast of France, the Brit- 

 ish channel, and the Mediterranean, and is rather dreaded 

 on account of its spiny fins, the wounds inflicted by 

 them being dangerous. Fierce and very tenacious of 

 life, the creature defends itself boldly when attacked. 

 The flesh is good. There is a smaller species, whose 

 thrusts are even more dreaded, as they produce inflama- 

 tion, which is sometimes fatal. 



The Surmullet (mullus surmuletus) is rather thick 

 and bearded, living on aquatic plants and animals, sel- 

 dom larger than a carp, its usual length is nine inches. 

 This fish, as also the Red Mullet (mullus barbatus), is 

 much prized for the excellent taste of its flesh and its 

 beautiful color, purple, glancing with silver. In ancient 

 times it was celebrated on account of the pleasure the 

 Romans took in contemplating the changes of color it 

 displays while dying. Exorbitant prices were paid for 

 these fish, and, at entertainments, they were brought to 

 the table alive and cooked before the eyes of the guests. 

 They are taken in nets, or by hooks, baited with crabs. 

 There is a smaller species, which is also beautiful. 



The Gurnet (trigla gurnardus) is about two feet long, 

 brown-gray with white spots above, white below, and 

 found in all the seas of Europe. It lives on crabs and 

 muscles, and when swimming at night emits a phosphor- 

 escent luster ; when taken from the water, it gives a kind 

 of growl. The flesh is used for food. 



The Fly in y Fish, (trigla volitans) have the pectoral 

 fins so long that they use them as wings ; they measure 

 one foot, are dark colored, spotted with blue, orbicular 

 figures that look like the eyes, often seen on the wings 

 of butterflies. Their mouths are filled with bead-shaped 

 teeth, which cover the whole inner surface, are found in 



