This fish measures eighteen inches or two feet in length, and is ten pounds and upwards in weight.
It is principally found in the seas of tropical climates.
Sometimes these fish approach the European shores; and one of them was caught a few years ago at Christchurch, in Hampshire. To mariners in hot climates they often afford an important supply of food. Their flesh is fat and white, but inferior in excellence to that of the thunny, except when salted. A very lucrative fishery of bonitos is carried on at Cadiz. The fishing commences about the end of April, and continues until the beginning of July; and, in general, affords occupation for about a hundred persons.
228. The RED SURMULLET (Mullus barbatus) is a fish known by its large and loose scales, the general red colour of its body, and its having two fleshy beards on the under jaw.
It frequents the European seas, and seldom exceeds the length of eight or ten inches.
229. The STRIPED SURMULLET (Mullus surmuletus, Fig. 67.) has large and long scales, is of red colour, with four yellowish stripes along its sides, and two beards on the under jaw.
This fish inhabits both the European and the American seas, and is from ten or twelve inches to two feet in length.
The prices at which the surmullet was sometimes purchased by the Romans were enormously great. We read of a Roman consul having given at the rate of more than 64l. of our money for one of them; and of one of the Roman emperors having paid upwards of 240l. for another—to such an absurdity of extravagance did this people arrive before the dissolution of their empire. But it went further:—they are said to have considered even the surmullet of little value unless it died in the very hands of their guests. Some of the most luxurious of the Romans had stews formed even in their eating-rooms, so that the fish could at once be brought from under the table and placed upon it. Here they were put into transparent vases, that the guests might be entertained with their various changes of colour, from red to violet and blue, as they expired. The parts chiefly admired for the table were the head and the liver.
Both the above species of surmullet occasionally visit our coasts during the summer season. Their flesh is white, firm, and well-tasted; but they cannot long be kept without becoming putrid.
230. GURNARDS (Trigla, Fig. 62.) are fish with a large angular and bony head; and two or more distinct appendages near the pectoral fins.