380 AMERICAN FISHES. 



The Catfish has been introduced in Europe, and in Belgium is already 

 fairly well acclimated. Attempts have been made to introduce it into 

 England — an act of international courtesy which might perhaps offset in 

 a slight degree our debt to our motherland for the gift of the English 

 Sparrow. Punch in this connection has made his only contribution to the 

 literature offish culture under the caption : — 



NO CATFISH, PLEASE ! 



Oh do not bring the Catfish here ! 

 The Catfish is a name of fear. 



Oh, spare each stream and spring. 

 The Kennet Swift, the Wandle clear, 

 The lake, the loch, the broad, the mere. 



From that detested thing ! 



The Catfish is a hideous beast, 

 A bottom-feeder that doth feast 



Upon unholy bait : 

 He's no addition to your meal. 

 He's rather richer than the eel; 



And ranker than the skate. 



His face is broad, and flat, and glum ; 

 He's like some monstrous miller's thumb ; 



He's bearded like the pard. 

 Beholding him the grayling flee. 

 The trout take refuge in the sea, 



The gudgeons go on guard ! 



He grows into a startling size ; 



The British matron 'twould surprise. 



And raise her burning blush. 

 To see white catfish, large as man, 

 Through what the bards call " water wan " 



Come with an ugly rush ! 



They say the catfish climbs the trees. 



And robs the roosts, and, down the breeze, 



Prolongs his catterwaul. 

 Ah, leave him in his western flood, 

 Where INIississippi churns the mud ; 



Don't bring him here at all ! 



