182 The Nematognathi, or Catfishes 



meridional-is, as far south as Rio Usamacinta on the boundary of 

 Guatemala. 



Besides these, a large channel-cat of peculiar dentition, 

 known as Istlarius balsanus, abounds in the basin of Rio Balsas. 

 In Mexico all catfishes are known as Bagre, this species as 

 Bagre de Rio. 



The genus Leptops includes the great yellow catfish, or 

 goujon, known at once by the projecting lower jaw. It is a 

 mottled olive and yellow fish of repulsive exterior, and it reaches 

 a very great size. It is, however, a good food-fish. 



The Mad-toms. The genera Noturus and Schilbeodes are 

 composed of diminutive catfishes, having the pectoral spine 

 armed at base, with a poison sac which renders its sting ey- 



FIG. 145. Mad-torn, Schilbeodes furiosus Jordan & Meek. Showing the poisoned 

 pectoral spine. Family Siluridce. Neuse River. 



tremely painful though not dangerous. The numerous species 

 of this genus, known as "mad-toms" and "stone cats," live 

 among weeds in brooks and sluggish streams. Most of them 

 rarely exceed three inches in length, and their varied colors 

 make them attractive in the aquarium. 



The Old World Catfishes. In the catfishes of the Old World 

 and their relatives, the adipose fin is rudimentary or wanting. 

 The chief species found in Europe is the huge sheatfish, or wels, 

 Silurus glanis. This, next to the sturgeon, is the largest river fish 

 in Europe, weighing 300 to 400 pounds. It is not found in Eng- 

 land, France, or Italy, but abounds in the Danube. It is a lazy 

 fish, hiding in the mud and thus escaping from nets. It is very 

 voracious, and many stories are told of the contents of its 

 stomach. A small child swallowed whole is recorded from 

 Thorn, and there are still more remarkable stories, but not 



