63 



nah, sccl^nd opposite the anal. Body compressed behind, vcut 

 posterior or sub medial. Operculum simple. 



The fishes belonging to this group are common throughout 

 the United States, the Silurus catics of Linneus, which is not 

 found in the Ohio, belongs also to it. They are sedentary in 

 the Ohio and branches, and very voracious, feeding on all 

 smaller iishes: they are easily taken with the hook; their flesh 

 is esteemed, and, although it is somewhat tough in the largest 

 species, it makes notwithstanding excellent soup. These fishes 

 often come to a great size and live to a great age. The name 

 of Ictalurus, means Cat-fish in Greek. 



1st Section. Elliops. Tail forked. Eyes elliptical. Ab- 

 dominal fins with less than nme rays. 



69th Species. Spotted Catfish. Fimelodus maculatus^ 

 Pimelode tachete» 



Upper jaw longer, lateral barbs "black, reaching the dorsal 

 fin. Eyes elliptical. Body whitish with small unequal brown 

 spots on the sides; vent submedial: tail unequally forked, up- 

 per lobe longer. Pectoral fins fenestrated. Anal fin longitu- 

 dinal with 27 rays. Lateral line straight. 



Sihirus maculatus. Monogr. sp. 1. 



One of the small species, commonly about one foot long and 

 slender, never reaching a large size. Vulgar names Spotted, 

 White, and Channel Catfish. It is found as far as Pittsburgh, 

 but is not very common. Flesh very good. Head long and 

 flat, olivaceous rufous above, jaWs rounded, lips thick. Upper 

 barbs the shortest and white; the exterior inferior ones long 

 and blacli at the end. Iris elliptical white. Body somewhat 

 attenuated behind, entirely silyery white. Belly white, flatten- 

 ed, without spots or shades. Sides with gilt and blue shades^ 

 besides the brown spots. Back unspotted, pale, rufescent. 

 Lateral line not reaching the gills and slightly raised upwards 

 at the base. First dorsal fin with six soft rays. Pectoral fins 

 with five, spiny ray longer, very thick, and united to the fin by a 

 fenestrate web on the inner serrate side. Abdominal oboval 

 aBd with 8 rays. Caudal with 20. Lobes acute. All the fins 

 redish, marginated, or tipped with brown. Tail marginated. 

 Adipose fins brown. 



