MULLETS. FLY I NG-FISTT. 93 



8. The FAMILY OF MULLOIDES differs but little from that of the 

 percoides, but is easily distinguished from it, by the large scales 

 with which the whole body of these fishes is covered, and by two 

 long cirri or beards which hang from under the lo\ver jaw. It 

 is composed of the Mullets properly so called, of which two 

 species are found in Europe, namely: the Red Mullet, and 

 Surmullet. 



9. The Red Mullet, Muflus barbatus, has the body and tail 

 red, even after the scales have been removed ; its size is ordinarily 

 from eight to ten inches. It lives in many seas, particularly in 

 the Mediterranean, and is much prized for the excellent taste of 

 its flesh. It is celebrated on account of the pleasure which the 

 Romans took in contemplating the changes of colour it displays 

 while dying. Exorbitant prices were paid for Mullets of extraor- 

 dinary size, and at entertainments, they were brought to the table 

 alive, and cooked before the eyes of the guests. 



10. The Surmullet, Mullus surrnuletus, is larger than the 

 Mullet, and is longitudinally striped yellow ; it is more common 

 in the ocean, but its flesh is less esteemed. 



11. The FAMILY OF MAILED-CHEEKS, Buccce loricate, is 

 recognised by the manner in which the sub-orbital bones are pro- 

 longed to the opercula and protect the cheeks. 



12. In this family are placed the Fying Fishes, Dactylopterus, 

 in which the pectoral fin-rays are very numerous, and united by 

 a membrane so as _|^ 43 f 



to form very large 



pectoral fins, (Fig. 



48.) which they use 



as wings, to sustain 



themselves in the air 



when they spring 



out of water, in the 



hope of escaping 



from their enemies. FLYING-FISH OF THE MEDITERRANEAN. 



Voyagers meet with them in the Mediterranean, but particularly 



in the tropical seas ; they swim in numerous shoals, which the 



bonita and other voracious fishes, fiercely pursue, and when, to 



escape this danger, they spring into the air, another, not less 



great, awaits them ; for a host of sea-birds, such as the Frigate 



and Phaeton, also pursue them, and embrace this opportunity^ 



8. How is the family of Mulloides distinguished? 



9. What is the Mullet? 



10. What is the Surmullet ? 



11. What are the characters of the family of Mailed-cheek? 



12. What are the characters and hdbits of Flying-fishes? 



