PLATE XII. 
There Is a singular discordance of opinion amongst the ablest 
naturalists concerning the two kinds oi Mullus described by Linnaus 
under the specific names of Surmulletus and Bcirbatus, some con- 
ceiving them to be varieties only, or rather differing at a certain age, 
and others with Linnaeus believing them to be distinct species. 
Linnsus, in the early editions of the Systema Naturae, seems to 
have adhered in some measure to the opinion of Artedi, and in de- 
fining these species observes, that Barbatus ha's two beards, and bodv 
red, and Surmulletus two beards and body marked with longitudinal 
jrellow lines. Artedi states the number of those yellow lines on the 
latter to be four on each side, but from the subsequent observations 
of other naturalists, it is evident these vary exceedingly in different 
specimens, Block remarks that his agrees with that of Salvianus in 
having only three of them : in a MS. of Father Plumler five are 
mentioned ; Mr . Pennant speaks only of two, and these, he adds, 
“ with the red colour of the dorsal fins and the number of rays, 
Mr. Ray makes the character of the Cornish Surmullet.” It is 
theiefore evident, the number of yellow lines can hv no means assist 
us in defining the species, and it has been doubted whether the total 
absence of* them, as in Barbatus, is a sufficient proof of a specific 
difference. 
That which is uniformly red, we have not seen. Mr. Pennant 
says he heard of the Red SicnnuU^t being taken on the coast of 
Scotland ; and a little further remarks, that Salvianus makes it n 
distinct species, as it was of a purple colour, sniped with golden 
lines. By this oblique allusion to the fish described by Salvianus, it 
is probable he meant one of the striped kind only ; tor it is apparent 
he was not well acquainted with cither of the Surmullets when ho 
