Mullet, or Mugil, L. a genus of fishes, consisting of two species, principally distinguished by the number of rays in the back-fin. — Both frequent the sandy coasts of this island, and particularly small bays that admit influxes of fresh water. Hither they resort in considerable shoals ; and, similar to hogs, grub in the sand or mud, leaving their traces in the form of large round holes.

Mullets are extremely cunning : when surrounded with a net, the whole shoal frequently escapes by leaping over it; for, if one take the lead, the others instinctively follow : but, if they fail to effect their object, they remain motionless in the water, as if resigned to their fate.

In the South of France, abundance of these fish are taken in shallow waters, by means of weirs constructed with reeds. From the milts of the males, called alletants, and the roes of the females, denominated botar, the inhabitants prepare a kind of food, called bolargo. These parts are taken out entire, covered for four or five hours with salt, then pressed between two boards or stones, afterwards washed, and, lastly, dried in the sun for about a fortnight.

As an article of food, the mullet affords a tolerable dish, being more tender than the haddock, and less juicy than the carp : it is not, however, so delicious as the ancieint Roman mullet, which appears to have been a different species.