40 TELEOSTEL: NEMATOGNATHI. — XI. 
82. Ontario to Florida and Texas, abundant in lakes and large 
rivers, reaching 100 pounds or more. 
(A. ponderosus Bean, from St. Louis, described from a specimen 
5 feet long, weighing 150 pounds, is probably a giant example of 
this species, differing only in having 35 anal rays. I find 25, 27, 
28, and 82 in four specimens of A. nigricans.) (Lat., blackish.) 
bb. Anal rays 20 to 23; humeral process very rough, more than half Iength 
of pectoral spine. . 
53. A. albidus (Le Sueur). Waite Cat. CHANNEL CAT OF 
THE Poromac. Olive-bluish, silvery below; body stout; head 
broad, becoming with age very broad, the mouth in old specimens 
wider than in any other species; C. shallow-forked. L. 24. Penn. 
to N. C., very abundant in Potomac R. Varies much with’ age. 
(Lat., whitish.) 
aa. Caudal fin entire or very slightly emarginate. (AMEIURUS.) 
d. Anal fin long, of 24 to 27 rays (counting rudiments), its base more than 
4 length of body. 
54. A. natalis (Le Sueur). YrELLow Cat. Yellowish, green- 
ish, or blackish; body stout, the head short and broad, with wide 
mouth. Great Lakes to Va. and Texas, common in sluggish 
streams. L.15. Excessively variable. (Lat., having large nates, 
i.e. adipose fin.) 
dd. Anal fin moderate, of 18 to 22 rays, its base 4 to 5 in body. 
e. Lower jaw projecting. 
55. A. vulgaris (Thompson). Blackish; head 3} to 4; A. 20; 
P. spine 2} in head. Great Lakes to Manitoba, essentially as in 
A. nebulosus, except for the form of the mouth; very likely a 
variety. (Lat., common.) 
ee. Lower jaw not projecting. 
J. Pectoral spines long, 2 to 2} in head; anal rays more than 20. 
56. A.nebulosus!(Le Sueur). Common BuLLHEAD. HORNED 
Pout. Dark yellowish brown, varying from yellowish to black 
sometimes (var. marmoratus Holbrook), sharply mottled with 
dark green and whitish; A. rays usually 21 or 22; its base 4 in 
body ; pectoral spines long. L.18. New England to Wis., Va., 
1 The Horned Pout are “dull and blundering fellows,” fond of the mud, and grow- 
ing best in weedy ponds and rivers without current. They stay near the bottom, 
moving slowly about with their barbels widely spread, watching for anything eat- 
able. They will take any kind of bait, from an angle-worm to a piece of a tin tomato- 
can, without coquetry, and they seldom fail to swallow the hook. They are very 
tenacious of life, “‘ opening and shutting their mouths for half an hour after their 
heads have been cut off.” They spawn in spring, and the old fishes lead the young in 
great schools near the shore, seemingly caring for them as the hen for her chickens, 
“A bloodthirsty and bullying set of rangers, with ever a lance in rest, and ready to 
do battle with their nearest neighbor.” ( Thoreau.) 
