AND HOW TO CATCH THEM. 37 



more frequently cut up for bait. Their range is wide, 

 extending round the coasts of England, Scotland, 

 Norway, Denmark, and round many of the islands of 

 the Mediterranean. 



The Grey Mullet. 



FAM., Mugilidce. 



The grey mullet is too well known to need a de- 

 scription, and is generally so well appreciated at table 

 as to render any comments on that head uncalled for. 

 Its habits are such as rarely to cause it to travel far 

 to sea ; a marked preference being shown for such 

 places as have both fresh and salt water pouring into 

 them at the rise and fall of the tide. Tidal mill-ponds, 

 floating docks, and about the wharfs at the mouths of 

 large rivers, are all favourite localities, many such 

 places being at times visited by immense numbers of 

 these fish, which can frequently be seen at such times 

 with their mouths level with the surface, sucking in 

 the soft particles of floating vegetable or animal matter 

 brought by the flowing tide. The lips of this fish are 

 particularly delicate and sensitive, enabling it to dis- 

 cover and instantly eject any small substance the least 

 distasteful. Several modes of fishing are had recourse 

 to; that practised with the rod and line is generally jbhe 

 most successful. A nine-foot trace of fine strong 

 salmon gut, No. 6 or 7 Kirby hooks, " Trout pattern," 

 tied on eight-inch pieces of stout gut, looped one foot 



