‘THE MULLET* 
270' 
The mullets are in great plenty in the Mediterranean, 
and along the fouthern coafts of F ranee. Jn a certain 
lake near Martegues , in the fouth of France, there are valt 
fnoals which enter there during fpring, the feafon of co- 
pulation among thefe fifhes ; after impregnation they re- 
turn to the fea, but are intercepted by weres of reeds. 
Of the milts and roes of the mullet, the famous Bo- 
targo of the Italians is made up. The materials are ta- 
ken out entire, and for a few hours covered up with fait ; 
afterwards they are prefftd between two boards, dried in 
the fun for about a fortnight, when they are fit for ufe. 
This compolition is faid to brace a weak ftoniach, and to 
give an exquifite relifh to wine, when ate before drink* 
ing. 
The food of the mullet is mud, or fea-weed ; it 
never attempts to devour any fifh. The flr-fh of this 
animal is palatable, though at prefent not a fafbionable 
dilh ; its flavour greatly depends on the ground where it 
is fed ; if among mud, it confiantly taftes and fmells of 
that kind of food. 
According to Gefner*, the mullets are the moft fala- 
cious of all animals ; the male purfuing the female even 
after Hie is captured, till drawn aihore- At Farentum, a 
male, purfued his female that had been caught with the 
hook and liue, till he received feveral flrokes with a 
fpear, and was at lafl taken and drawn into the boat : 
By fuch an ungovernable defire are thefe animals impel- 
led to fulfil the purpofe of nature. 
At Athens, and afterwards at Rome, when an unfortu- 
nate galant was catched in the company of his miftrefs, 
fhe mullet is faid to have been employed by the enraged 
. hufbaad 
* '£>e Mcibus, 
