THE THICK-LIPPED GREY MULLET. 105 



On 19th Sept., 1843, great numbers of mullet were seen in Dunbar's 

 dock, Belfast, where through previous summers they were frequently ob- 

 served. They were described to me by an eye-Avitness as feeding about 

 the ships' bottoms, especially those which had been long in dock or had 

 " weeds growing on them." About the middle of July last my informant 

 saw about forty mullet enjoying themselves by drinking in from a stream 

 of fresh water as it joined the sea water of the bay. 



In Sept., 1851, considerable numbers of mullet were observed at the 

 quays at Belfast, close to Avhere the principal town sewers are discharged. 

 They Avere supposed to be feeding on the contents of the latter. 



My friend, Mr. R. Patterson, has favoured me with the following 

 note : — 



" I have been informed by Mr. Joseph G. Thompson, Gardenhill, near 

 this town (Belfast), that in order to induce the mullet to enter the nai'- 

 row inlets or ' guts ' where the nets are usually placed, it is customary 

 to spread cow-dung at or close to the water's edge as an attractive food, 

 which the fish Avill greedily devour. The mullet enters Avith the floAV of 

 the tide, and Avith the ebb of the Avater seeks again to retire. As soon as 

 it finds its progress arrested by the net, it retreats a feAV feet, and then, 

 ' Avith one brave bound,' clears the unexpected obstacle. This 23i'oceed- 

 ing is so Avell known by the fishermen, that in order to obviate its eff"ects 

 they take the precaution of placing a second net a fcAv feet apart from 

 the fii'st-mentioned one ; and in this the mullet are found, their noses 

 sticking in the meshes. Mr. Thompson does not give these particulars as 

 matters of which he himself has been actually cognizant, but as details 

 stated to him by an old mullet fisher since deceasecl, and Avho could have 

 had no motive for giving erroneous information. The matter might be 

 Avorth inquiring into. 



" Mr. T. further states that mullet have frequently been taken under 

 May's bridge, coming from jNIay's dock, Avhich from the number of 

 sewers which are there discharged, and the Avant of any strong current to 

 carry ofi" the deposit, is at all times extremely filthy. 



" Walking along the road to Carrickfergus on a fine moonlight night, 

 AA'hen the tide Avas so unusually full as to come close up to the Avayside, 

 Mr. Thompson's brother has seen great numbers of mullet glancing 

 rapidly along AA'ith their dorsal fins above Avater, and describes their 

 appearance under such circumstances as highly animated and attract- 

 ive." 



Dr. Ball, in his lecture already referred to, says of this species : — " The 

 grey mullet is found abundantly at the mouth of our rivers, and may be 

 often seen in spring in considerable numbers from the Dublin bridges 

 playing on the surface of the Avater. It also frequents the neighbouring 

 harbour of Kingstown, Avhere a dexterous individual kills many Avith a 

 light spear." 



Mr. Sinclair has knoAvn the mullet to ascend the river Lagan (Belfast), 

 into the canal, Avhere they Avere shut in by the gates : he has frequently 

 seen them leap in the fresh-Avater. 



January 27, 1841. — The largest M. Chelo, as to length, I ever saw, Avas 

 in ]5elfast market to-day, having been taken Avith salmon at Cushendal. 

 It Avas fully 2 feet long. 



A specimen from Belfast Bay, Avhich came under the inspection of a 

 friend on the 2nd August, 1850, measured 28 inches in length, and 17 

 round the body. 



April 16, 1840. — On looking to a great iuiml)er of mullet to-day in 



