INTEODUCTION OF MOUNTAIN MULLET, 
445 
in length, and weighs half a pound, and in some instances above a pound. * • * 
In the Yallah’s, the Buff Bay, the Wag Water, and particularly the Swift and Span- 
ish Rivers they are to be seen in this perfection of their growth. The Stream or 
Mountain Mullet rises readily at the fly 5 a black or a red tackle is generally most 
successful. For bait fishing the scoured earth-worm kept in damp moss, small silver 
prawns, and half-ripe avocado pears are the best. There are two modes of dressing 
them for the table. First wrap them up in a plantain leaf and put them in hot ashes 
and there let them remain for an hour ; but the writer prefers them fried. The fine, 
large, delicious roes should not be treated in any other way for the gourmet. It is the 
best mode of preparing them for the table. 
“ The Mountain Mullet is entirely confined to the fresh water-courses, even to their 
final termination in the great and wide sea. As both mandibles of the Stream Mullet 
are full of very small teeth, some precaution is necessary in angling for them. The 
material (gut, as it is termed) by which the hook is attached to the line is much abraded 
and worn after taking a dozen or two of these fishes, and ought to be renewed.” 
AGONOSTOMA MICKOPS? 
(Hog-nose Mullet.) 
A large species of Agonostoma, known as the Hog-nose Mullet, occurs in the Rio 
Grande. This is described as one of the most palatable of the species. “ The leugth 
of the Hog-nose Mullet taken out of the Swift River, below the Fish Done, will often 
measure 23 inches and usually weighs from 2 to 4 iiounds. It is designated by this 
name on account of the elongation or projection of the cartilage of the upper mandible 
considerably over the lower, ending in a blunt point, with which contrivance it turns 
up mud, or the fallen leaves frequently found in conglomerated heaps, etc., iu search 
of its ordinary food. 
“This fish does not rise to the fly. It is by bait alone that the skillful fisherman 
can hope to secure so rich, so desirable a prize. The baits most used with success are 
fresh red earth-worms, small silver shrimps taken out of springs and streamlets iu the 
vicinity of rivers, half-ripe avocado iiears, etc. The silver shrimps are preferable; 
they are the best of all baits. The hook must be attached to fine silver gimp, about 
8 or 10 inches long ; gut and Indian weed in common use will not answer to secure the 
fish, by reason of its teeth, which so fret these materials after a few struggles that they 
break asunder and the captive escapes. * * * This Mullet is easily sciired, very 
sly and retired in its habits, and is rarely seen swimming to and fro like its congener.” 
JAMAICA MOUNTAIN RANGES. 
The surface of the island is extremely mountainous and attains considerable alti- 
tudes, particularly in the eastern part, where the central range is known as the Blue 
Mountains. A great diversity of climate is therefore obtainable ; from a tropical tem- 
perature of 80° to 86 ° at the sea-coast the thermometer falls to 45° and 50° on the tops 
of the highest mountains, and with a dryness of atmosphere that renders the climate 
of thq mountains of Jamaica particularly delightful and suitable to the most delicate 
constitutions. 
