28 PERCIDJS. 



known Striped Red Mullet, is of frequent occurrence along 

 the extended line of our southern coast from Cornwall to 

 Sussex, but becomes more rare in proceeding from thence 

 northward by the eastern coast. 



The Red Mullets were well known to the ancients, and 

 the generic term Mullus, by which they are distinguished, is 

 said to have reference to the scarlet colour of the sandal or 

 shoe worn by the Roman Consuls, and in later times by the 

 Emperors, which was called mulleus. So much were these 

 fish in estimation, that a Mullet of large size appears always 

 to have been an object of particular admiration, and some- 

 times of contention. A fish of three pounds weight produced 

 a considerable 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 magnifi- 

 cence. The Striped Red Mullet is the species which 

 occasionally only attains to so enviable a size in the 

 Mediterranean ; the second species, which on our coast is 

 very rare, is much smaller, but more beautiful in colour, 

 and is the species which on that account the Romans exhi- 

 bited in vases of glass to their friends and guests. They also 

 kept Mullets in their numerous vivaria ; but, thus confined, 

 the fish did not continue to increase in size. At the present 

 time, the Mullets of Provence and Toulon are in high esti- 

 mation. The flesh is white, firm, of good flavour, and being 

 free from fat, is considered easy of digestion. The liver is 

 the part of the fish in the greatest request. On our own 

 coast the Striped Red Mullet seldom exceeds fourteen 

 inches in length, and even this would be considered a fish of 



