MULLET. 
83 
than half that number of inches. At length I suc- 
ceeded in thrusting the net under a leaper, and into 
it he fell. I carried him to the house, and placed 
him in a large washing-basin of water, uninjured, 
though a trifle exhausted ; when I found that I had 
captured a young individual of the Grey Mullet of 
our fresh waters. At first he could not maintain his 
equilibrium, but rolled over and over in his efibrts to 
preserve his back uppermost. As he gained strength., 
however, he became more at ease ; but was very im- 
patient, swimming rapidly round and round the basin, 
projecting his open mouth. Sometimes he would 
swim rapidly in a perpendicular position, evidently 
striving to get out, but showing no tendency to leap ; 
perhaps because there was not sufficient room in the 
basin to allow him to gain the required impetus. 
The energy, and muscular power, as well as the 
strength of instinct displayed by so young a fish (for 
it was only about three and a half inches long), not 
having attained more than one-sixth part of its adult 
dimensions, seemed to me remarkable. I continued 
to see the little creatures leaping at the cascade all 
through the summer. 
In the holes and basins of this romantic little 
river, particularly at the foot of the many falls, large 
Mullet of the same species lurk, some as much as 
eighteen inches long. They are often taken by hand ; 
the negroes plunging their arm into the holes be- 
neath the bank, and feeling for the fish. They bite 
freely also at the hook, the most successful bait being 
a piece of a mellow Avocada pear, in the season. It 
is one of the most highly esteemed fishes for the 
