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-witness 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 where the principal town sewers are discharged. 
They were supposed to be feeding on the contents of the latter. 
My friend, Mr. B,. 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 nar- 
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 will greedily devour. The mullet enters with the flow of 
the tide, and with the ebb of the water seeks again to retire. As soon as 
it finds its progress arrested by the net, it retreats a few feet, and then, 
‘ with one brave bound,’ clears the unexpected obstacle. This proceed- 
ing is so well known by the fishermen, that in order to obviate its effects 
they take the precaution of placing a second net a few feet apart from 
the first-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 deceased, and who could have 
had no motive for giving erroneous information. The matter might be 
worth inquiring into. 
“ Mr. T. further states that mullet have frequently been taken under 
May’s bridge, coming from May’s dock, which from the number of 
sewers which are there discharged, and the want of any strong current to 
carry off the deposit, is at all times extremely filthy. 
“ Walking along the road to Carrickfergus on a fine moonlight night, 
when the tide was so unusually full as to come close up to the wayside, 
Mr. Thompson’s brother has seen great numbers of mullet glancing 
rapidly along with their dorsal fins above water, 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 water. It also frequents the neighbouring 
harbour of Kingstown, where a dexterous individual kills many with a 
light spear.” 
Mr. Sinclair has known the mullet to ascend the river Lagan (Belfast), 
into the canal, where they were shut in by the gates : he has frequently 
seen them leap in the fresh-water. 
January 27, 1841. — The largest M. Chelo, as to length, I ever saw, was 
in Belfast market to-day, having been taken with salmon at Cushendal. 
It was fully 2 feet long. 
A specimen from Belfast Bay, which 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 number of mullet to-day in 
