The Eel Cat 



and convex above, so that the eye is little nearer the upper than 

 the lower outline; eye moderate, the posterior edge of the orbit 

 at middle point of head; mouth small and narrow; barbels long, 

 that on maxillary usually reaching beyond gill-opening; spines 

 long; humeral process long and slender, more than half length of 

 pectoral spine, which is strongly serrate behind. Colour, light 

 olivaceous or bluish above, paler on sides, the belly white or 

 silvery ; sides usually, perhaps always, with irregular, small, 

 round blackish spots; fins often with dark edgings. 





<*& 



_ .^ 



Eel Cat; Willow Cat 



Ictalurns angiiilla Evermann & Kendall 



This interesting catfish was originally described from the 

 Atchafalaya River, but has since been seen by us in the Ohio at 

 Louisville. It does not appear to be a very common species, not 

 more than thirty examples having as yet been noted. It is, how- 

 ever, well known to the Atchafalaya fishermen, by whom it is 

 prized equally with the blue and channel cats. Its spawning time 

 in Louisiana is in April and May. 



Head 4; depth 4.5; eye 7; snout 2.8; maxillary (without 

 barbel) 3; free portion of maxillary barbel longer than head; 1). 

 I, 6; A. 24; vertebrae 42; dorsal spine 2 in head; pectoral spine 

 2; width of mouth 2. Head large, broad and heavy; mouth un- 

 usually broad; cheeks and postocular portion of top of head very 

 prominent; interorbital space fiat; body stout, compressed pos- 

 teriorly, back scarcely elevated ; base of dorsal 1.=, in head; longest 

 dorsal ray 1.7=, in head; dorsal spine strong, entire on both sides; 

 pectoral spine strong, entire in front, a series of strong retrorse 

 serrae behind ; humeral process 2.2 in pectoral spine ; ventrals 



22 



