mullidæ

pl. [Lat. mull ( us ); fem. pl. adj. suff.- idœ.] Ichthy.: Red Mullets, a family of teleostean fishes. Body low, rather compre ed, covered with large thin scales, sometimes with a fine serrature; two long erectile barbels. Lateral line continuous. Mouth in front of the snout; teeth very feeble. Two short dorsals, remote from each other; anal similar to second dorsal; ventrals with one spine and five rays; pectorals short; branch ios teg als four; stomach siphonal. Mullus, the sole genus of the family, is divided into several sub-genera, on account of slight differences of dentition. They are marine, but many species enter brackish water to feed on the animalcula abounding in the flora. About forty species are known; all esteemed for food, but none attain a large size. ( Günther .) mul-li-ga-tâw-nỹ, s. [MULL AGA TAWNY.] mŭl-li-grŭbş, s. [Etym. doubtful.] 1. A pain in the stomach; colic. "Whose dog lies sick o' th' mulligrubs ?" Beaum. & Flet.: Monsieur Thomas , ii. 2. 2. Ill-temper, sulkine . mul-lin-gōng, s. [Native Australian name.] Zool.: Ornithorhynchus (q. v.).