Page:Natural History, Fishes.djvu/89

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The European Surmullets are distinguished by having the characters already enumerated more strongly developed; the head is very abrupt, the profile nearly vertical, the gill-cover is smooth, and destitute of any spine; the teeth on the palate and in the lower jaw very minute.

Of the two species which form this genus, both of which are marked in catalogues as British, one is as common as the other is rare. The former is

the Striped Surmullet (Mullus surmuletus, .), and is found in our fish-markets throughout the year, though in greatest abundance during the summer months. It is commonly about ten inches or a foot in length, and is rarely known to exceed fourteen inches. Its form and general appearance will be recognised from the accompanying engraving, but it should be seen alive, or at least just dead, to convey a notion of its beauty, which depends on its evanescent hues. The