LABYRINTHIFOEM PHAEYNG-BALS. 245 



mugil cephalus, varying in fine specimens from four to 

 six pounds, whilst the weight of the full-grown ' cefalo' 

 is ordinarily from ten to twelve pounds. 



The name of mugil is derived by many etymologists 

 from multo agilisj* and whatever may be thought of the 

 derivation, these words certainly express correctly enough 

 the fitful agility and fleetness which belongs .to the 

 whole tribe ; for though one only is designated saltator, 

 all the ' sect' are equally entitled to the denomination of 

 'jumpers.' The heights to which they have been known 

 to spring in escaping from a net would do no discredit to 

 a young salmon practising somersets ; but no wonder, for 

 they are practising leaping all their lives ; the disposition 

 is so strongly innate, according to Mr. Crouch, that ' a 

 young mugil of very tiny dimensions may be seen tum- 

 bling head over tail in the active endeavour to pass a line : 

 I have even known, he says, one less than an inch long 

 throw itself repeatedly over the side of a fcup in which the 

 water was an inch below the brim : they too look out for 

 other means of escape, and will rush at the largest mesh ; 

 but if that fails, they make no second efibrt.' Oppian, 

 who records the well-known propensity of mugUs to es- 

 cape danger by ' leaping over the wall,' relates also that 

 if foiled in a first they do not make another attempt, but 

 give themselves up for lost without further effort : 



The mugil, soon as circling seines enclose. 

 The fatal threads and treacherous bosom knows ; 

 Instant he rallies all his vigorous powers, 

 And faithful aid of every nerve implores ; 

 O'er battlements of cork up-darting flies. 

 And finds from air th' escape that sea denies. 



* Columella calls them ' greges inertis mugihs' — ^the inert tribe 

 of mugUs ; but this phrase, to be correct, must refer to their moral 

 character, not their physical capabilities ; they are naturally in- 

 dolent, but once roused by a sense of near danger, fear makes them 

 fleet and claps wings to their tails. 



