THE WHITE, OR COMMON MULLET. 



441 



ham, a Pike seized the bead of a Swan as she was feeding undei 

 water, and gorged so much of it, as to kill them both. 



A Pike was presented to Lord Cholmondeley, that was an ell long, 

 and weighed thirty-live pounds. His Lordship directed it to be put 

 into a canal in his garden, Mhich at that time contained a great 

 quantity of fish. Twelve months afterwards the water was drawn off, 

 and it was discovered that the Pike had devoured all the fish except 

 a large Carp, that weighed between nine and ten pounds ; and even 

 this had been bitten in several places. The Pike was again put in, 

 and an entire fresh stock of fish for him to feed on : all these he de- 

 voured in less than a year. Several times he was observed by work- 

 men who were standing near, to draw Ducks and other water-fowl 

 under water. Crows were shot and thrown in, which he took in the 

 presence of the men. From this time the slaughtermen had ordera 

 to feed him with the garbage of the slaughter-house; but, being after- 

 wards neglected, he died, as it is supposed, from want oi food. 



Gesner relates, that a famished Pike, in the Rhone, seized the lips 

 of a Mule, and was, in consequence, dragged out of the water ; aud 

 that people, while washing their legs, hud often been bitten by these, 

 voracious creatures. 



The smaller fish exhibit the same fear of this tyrant, as many of the 

 feathered tribe do of the rapacious birds ; while lying dormant near 

 the surface, they sometimes swim round him in vast numbers, and 

 with great anxiety. 



If the accounts of different writers on the subject are to be credited 

 the longevity of the Pike is very remarkable. Gesner mentions a 

 Pike, whose a^e was ascertained to be two hundred and sixty-seven 

 years. 



OF THE MULLET TRIBE. 



THE lips of these fish are membranaceous, and the lower lip is 

 marinate inwards. They have no teeth in the jaws, but on the tongue 

 and palate only. Above the angle of the mouth there is a hard callus. 

 The gill-membrane has seven incurvated rays. The gill-covers are 

 smooth and rounded. 



THE WHITE, OR COMMON MULLET. 



There are few parts of the globe which border upon the sea, where 

 the White Mullet are not found. It is one of those species of fisli, 

 which, at certain seasons of the year, pass from the sea into the rivers. 

 These they usually enter in the months of May, June, and July 

 Fresh water is so little injurious to the Mullet, even for permanent 

 residence, that it is said they may even be kept through the whole 

 year, in lakes which have sandy bottoms. 



They usually appear in immense shoals, and swim very near the 

 urface of the water. When the fishermen observe an uiiusua* 



