The Mullet Is an inhabitant of the salt waters. It frequents 
sandy bays, and the entrances of great rivers, and in the summer 
rnonths has been known to enter into fresh waters, as is supposed to 
deposit its spawn. They swarm on many of the European shores, 
and particularly those of the Mediterranean, where they are taken in 
a kind of wear contrived on purpose; for they are a cunning fish, and 
not taken in nets without some difficulty. It is said, that if one of 
them escapes out of the net by leaping over its side, the rest of the 
shoal will assuredly follow it, and escape also. 
On the coasts of Italy, where this fish is very abundant, the natives 
make their botargo of the roe of the females. This part is taken out 
entire, and covered with salt for four or five hours, then slightly 
pressed between two boards, and, lastly, washed and dried in the sun 
lor about fourteen days ; in the month of August it is fit for use in 
eight or ten days. 
The length of this species is about a foot or fifteen inches. It has 
five rays in the dorsal fin, in the second eight : pectoral fin seven- 
teen : ventral fin one spiny and six soft rays: anal fin nine: tail 
twelve, and two very short ones on each side. 
