65 



pladelus,) by the conical head, membranaceous opercuhim; 

 but particularly because the first ray of all the tins, exeept the 

 caudal and adipose, is a kind of soft obtuse spine concealed un- 

 der the neshy cover of the fins. It is a large fish, from two ta 

 four feet long, and commonly called Yellow Cat, Mud Cat, and 

 Brown Cat; but these names are common to other species. It 

 is very good to eat, either boiled or fried. Head conical de- 

 pressed, iris redish brown, eyes black, lateral barbs white, the 

 lateral ones brownish. Operculum with a large membranaceous 

 appendage or flap. Body conical tapering behind. Dorsal fins 

 with I and 6 rays. All the fins very fat, thick, and somewhat 

 redish, abdominal fins brownish. Tail with 20 rays. 



2d Section. Ameiu.rus. ^Tail entire. Eyes round. Eight 

 abdominal rays. Vent posterior. Dorsal fin anterior with a 

 spine. Lower jaw not longer. Pectoral fins, with one simplo 

 tpine and seven rays. 



75th Species. Yellow Catfish. Pimeiodus cupreus. Pime- 

 lode cuivre. 



Upper jaw longer, barbs half the length of the head. Eyes 

 round; Body entirely of a coppery yellow colour. Lateral line 

 straight. Tail truncate entire. Anal with 15 rays. 



Silurus cufireus. Monogr. sp. 9. 



Vulgar name, Yellow Catfish. Very difTerent from the fore- 

 going. Similar however in size and form. Colour uniform, 

 extending on the head and fins. Spines shoi-t. It is found as 

 far as Pittsburgh. Very good to eat. Some have been taken 

 weighing over 200 pounds. Dorsal fin with 1 and 7 rays. 



76th Species. Brown Catfish. Pimeiodus lividus. Pim- 

 clode livide. 



Jaws equal, barbs nearly equal together and as long as the 

 head. Eyes round. Body entirely of a livid brown colour. 

 Tail rounded entire. Lateral line raised upwards at t4iebase. 

 Anal fin elongate with 25 rays. 



Silurus lividus. Monogr. sp. 7. 



A small species, entirely of a leaden brown. Head short, 

 slightly olivaceous, throat pale. Barbs equal, the upper ones 

 livid, the lower ones rufous. A furrow on the head which is 



