128 ICHTHYOLOGIA OHIENSIS 



pounds. It bears the name of Mudcat, Mudfish, 

 Mudsucker, and Toadfish. It is good to eat and 

 bites at the hook. The head is broader than the 

 body and with a very large mouth ; the barbs appear 

 to lay in four pairs, two above, longer and near the 

 nostrils, and two smaller under the lower jaw. The 

 first dorsal fins triangular and above the abdominals, 

 which are nearer to the pectorals than to the anal. 

 Second elongate with many rays. Number of rays 

 unnoticed. 



XXIV Genus. Backtail. Noturus. Noture. 



Difference from G. Piniclodus, S. G. Ictahirus, and 

 Sect. [II. 362] Ajnemrus: Adipose dorsal fin very 

 long, decurrent and united with the tail, which is 

 decurrent on each side, but unconnected with the 

 anal fin. 



Genus i8th of the Prodr. N. G. It differs from 

 the genus Plotosus of Lacepede by having the anal fin 

 free, and from Piuielodus by the connection of the tail 

 with the second dorsal \68'\ fin. The name means 

 Tail over the back. The Siliirus gyrinus of Mitchell 

 must belong to this genus. 



8 1 st Species. Yellow Backtail. Noturus flavus. 

 Noture jaune. 



Entirely yellowish. Upper jaw longer, barbs half 

 the length of the head. Eyes round. Lateral line 

 nearly straight. Anal fin with 14 rays. Tail entire 

 truncate. 



A small species very common near the falls. 

 Length 4 to 12 inches. It agrees in almost every 

 thing with the Section Aniehirus among the Catfishes. 

 Vulgar name Yellow Catfish, like the Piuielodus 

 cupreus. Dorsal fin with i and 7 rays, rounded spine 



