60 BRITISH FISH AND FISHERIES. 



ranked the striped red mullet, or striped sur- 

 mullet, (MuUus sunnuletiis,) a species which was 

 in high esteem at Rome, both on this account and 

 also on that of its great beauty. The red mullet 

 is common in the Mediterranean ; it also visits 

 the line of our southern coast, especially during 

 May or June, Avhen the shops of the London 

 fishmongers display great numbers in high 

 perfection. This richly coloured fish usually 

 measures from twelve to fifteen inches in length, 

 but larger specimens are occasionally taken, 

 and in the Mediterranean it is not unusual to 

 capture individuals of two pounds' weight. 



In ancient times a mullet of large size was 

 an object of great admiration, and sometimes 

 even of contention. " A fish of three pounds' 

 weight," says Mr. Yarrell, "produced a con- 

 siderable sum to the fortunate fisherman ;" while 

 " the cost of a fish of four pounds and a half," 

 says Martial, " was ruinous. A mullet of six 

 pounds is recorded to have produced a sum 

 equal to £48 ; one still larger £64 ; and even 

 £240 were given for three, of very unusual 

 size, procured on the same day, for a repast of 

 more than usual magnificence." The Romans 

 kept mullets in their vivaria, or preserves, but 

 not with much success, as they do not increase 

 in size diu'ing confinement. An allied species, 



