THREE-BANDED MULLET. L'peimts trifascidtus. 



touch, as they are well furnished with nerves, extremely sensitive, and may aid the fish in 

 distinguishing one substance from another under dark overhanging rocks, where the eyes 

 would be of no service. They are composed of long muscular fibres, covered with skin, 

 and strengthened by a single cartilaginous ray that passes along the centre. 



The average weight of the Surmullet is about two pounds, and its ordinary length 

 eighteen inches. 



ANOTHER species of this genus, the PLAIN EED-MULLET (Mullus barbdtus), has 

 occasionally been taken on the British coasts, where, however, it seems to be of very rare 

 occurrence. 



In general habits it closely resembles the preceding species, but may be distinguished 

 from that fish by the almost vertical line of the head, which rises abruptly from the muzzle 

 to the eyes, and by the different colouring. In the Plain Red-Mullet the back is light 

 pink, the sides and part of the abdomen dark red, and there is a single yellow streak below 

 the lateral line. 



A BATHER extensive genus belonging to the present family cannot be passed over 

 without some notice, as it contains many fish which are remarkable for their form and 

 colouring, if not for their habits or utilities. 



The THREE-BANDED MULLET is a native of the Indian and Polynesian Seas, and has 

 been taken off the coasts of China, Amboyna, Celebes, Ceylon, and India. It is an 

 extremely variable species, so much so indeed that it has been indiscriminately called the 

 Three-banded or the Two-banded Mullet, according to the number of stripes worn by the 

 particular individual. The common variety of this fish is marked as follows : Behind the 

 eye is a large black spot of an oblong form, a broad cross-band runs over the tail, and 

 another from the front portion of the soft dorsal fin. Sometimes a third similar band rises 

 from the spinous portion of the dorsal fin. Between these bands the scales are either 

 yellow or white, according to the peculiarity of the individual. The upper half of the 

 dorsal fin is mostly streaked with white and black longitudinal bands, and the remainder is 

 wholly black. The anal fin is also marked with similar black bands. 



