MULLETS. 
157 
This fish never goes to a great distance from 
land, but delights in shallow water, when the 
weather is warm and fine ; at which time it is 
seen prowling near the margin in search of food, 
' and imprinting a dimple on the placid surface as 
it snatches beneath any oily substance that may 
chance to be swimming. It ventures to some 
distance up rivers, but always returns with the 
tide. Carew, the Cornish historian, had a pond 
of salt-water, in which these fish were kept ; and 
he says that, having been accustomed to feed 
them at a certain place every evening, they 
became so tame, that a knocking like that of 
! chopping would certainly cause them to assemble. 
! The intelligence this argues may also be inferred 
;i from the skill and vigilance this fish displays in 
I avoiding danger, more especially in effecting its 
I escape in circumstances of great peril. When 
I enclosed within a ground-seine, or sweep-net, as 
I soon as the danger is seen, and before the limits 
of its range are straitened, and when even the 
end of the net might be passed, it is its common 
habit to prefer the shorter course, and throw it- 
I self over the headline, and so escape ; and when 
one of the company passes, all immediately 
follow. 
This disposition is so innate in the Grey 
Mullet, that young ones of minute size may be 
seen tumbling themselves head over tail in their 
active exertions to pass the head-line. I have 
i even known a Mullet less than an inch in length, 
I to throw itself repeatedly over the side of a 
cup in which the water was an inch below the 
brim. 
Mullets frequently enter by the fiood-gates into 
