THE CATFISHES 



THE catfishes of the world's waters are 

 represented by over one hundred genera 

 and upwards of nine hundred species. 

 Those of America number ninety-six 

 varietal forms, and of these the waters of the New 

 England States and Eastern Canada (including the 

 Province of Ontario) contain only eight species, 

 of which there are two marine forms which have 

 been known to enter streams in the south, and pre- 

 sumably do so in the rivers farther north. 



One of the salt-water fishes (Felichthys marinus), 

 which I have taken on hook and line in an estuary 

 below New York City, is interesting from its pecu- 

 liar structure. Its first dorsal fin is shaped like the 

 topsail of a yacht, hence its name, — gafF-topsail 

 catfish. The coloration is strikingly beautiful, 

 bright metallic bluish green above the lateral line 

 and brilliant silver below it. It takes the lure with 

 avidity, and is not fastidious as to the character of 

 it, — a trait shown by all other species of the 

 family, with the exception of the large channel 

 cat of relatively pure waters. 

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