78 AMERICAN FISHES. 



the West and South as far as Florida. It reaches a weight of fifty to one 

 hundred pounds, perhaps more. In all the markets of the region where 

 found it is one of the most important species, and its flesh, which can be 

 cut in "steaks" like Halibut, is generally esteemed. Nothing distinctive 

 is known of its breeding habits or rate of growth. Prof. Goode remarks : 

 " I have observed frequently enormous specimens of this species in the St. 

 John's River, where they are called Mud Cats. The young are sometimes 

 called "Flannel-Mouth Cats." 



The White Catfish, the Channel Cat of the Potomac, Ictalurus albidus, 

 of the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, is very abundant in the Susque- 

 hanna and Potomac Rivers, and forms an important part of the fish 

 supply of the Washington market. It reaches a weight of two to five 

 pounds, being much smaller than the preceding species, which it resembles. 



Amiiims nebulosiis, the common " Horned Pout," "Bull-head," " Bull- 

 230ut," or "Minister" of the Northern and Eastern States is the most 

 generally abundant and familiar representatives of this family. It reaches 

 a length of about eighteen inches and rarely exceeds three or four pounds 

 in weight, while the majority of those seen in the markets are still smaller. 

 It is probably the hardiest of all our fresh-water fishes, thriving in any 

 waters, but preferring those which are quiet and shaded. Numerous other 

 species very similar to this occur in our fresh waters. 



The Bull-head has been introduced from the Schuylkill into the Sacra- 

 mento and San Joaquin Rivers in California. It has there very rapidly 

 multiplied, and is now common in all the sloughs and bayous of the lower 

 courses of these rivers. As a food-fish it is not very- highly valued by the 

 Californians, most of those brought to market being taken by the Chinese. 

 Leptops olivaris, the "Mud Cat," "Yellow Cat," "Goujon," or 

 "Bashaw" is found in all the large rivers of the West and South. It 

 reaches a weight of at least fifty pounds. It is found only in the larger 

 streams, swimming near the bottom. It is less attractive in its appearance 

 than the other Catfishes, but we are not aware that its flesh is inferior to 

 that of the others. This species, and other of the larger Catfishes, are 

 often caught by "jugging," the bait being attached to a jug filled with 

 air, which will in time tire out the fish and bring it to the surface. 



The Stone Cat, Noturus flaviis , reaches a length of about a foot; the 

 other Stone Cats {Noturus) are still smaller, and none of them can be 

 considered as food-fishes. 



