The Catfish Family 247 



necessary ; otherwise the struggle will last a long 

 time. No half-hearted measures will answer for 

 the channel-cat, which has a wonderful amount 

 of vitality. He must be subdued by the deter- 

 mined opposition of a good rod and a strong 

 arm. 



There are a number of other catfishes that 

 are taken by angling, but none are worthy of 

 the name of game-fishes, though as food they 

 are nearly all to be commended. There are two 

 other species of channel-cats, though neither is 

 quite so good either as game-fishes or for food. 

 They are the blue-cat, also known as chuckle- 

 head cat (Ictalurus fiircatus), which may be 

 known by its more extensive anal fin, which has 

 from thirty to thirty-five rays, and its bluish 

 silvery color, and with but few if any spots. 

 The other is the willow-cat, or eel-cat {Ictalurus 

 anguilld), of a pale yellowish or olivaceous color, 

 without spots. Both of these fishes are found 

 in southern waters from Ohio to Louisiana. 

 The channel-cats are often called forked-tail 

 cats, as they are the only catfishes that have 

 the caudal fin deeply forked. 



I think no one appreciates the gameness of the 

 channel-catfish, or has such a just estimation of its 



