SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 



69 



An interesting and peculiar fact about tliis fish is that it is largely, if not 

 almost exclusively, a vegetable feeder, its intestine being long and usually filled 

 with remains of water plants. Both Cope and Jordan note that it is largely used 

 for food. 



Genus LEPTOPS Rafinesque. Mud Cat-fishes. 



This genus contains a single large species, and, in addition to the features 

 given in the key, is characterized by a slender body much depressed anteriorly, 

 very thick skin, long adipose fin, short anal fin, and broad pectoral spine serrated 

 on both edges. (Leptops, slender-faced.) 



38. LEPTOPS OLIVARIS (Rafinesque). 

 "Yellow Cat-fish" ; Mud Cat-fish; Bashaw; Goujon. 



5i7uru» olivaris Rafinesque, American Monthly Magazine, 1818, 355; Ohio River. 



Leptops olivaris, Jordan, 18896, 151; French Broad and Swannanoa rivers. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 143, 

 pi. xxvii, fig. 62. 



Di.\GNOSis. — Depth .16 total length; head very flat, .28 total length; lower jaw projecting; 

 eye very small; dorsal spine weak, short, more or less covered by skin; dorsal rays i,6; anal 

 short, .16 total body length, rays 12 to 15; adipose fin nearly as long and half as high as anal; 

 caudal nearly straight behind. Color: yellow above with green or brown markings, white 

 below, (olivaris, olive-colored.) 



Fig. 19. Yellow Cat-fish. Leptops olivaris. 



While this is an abundant species in parts of the Mississippi basin and in the 

 Gulf States, its range barely extends into North Carolina, in the headwaters of 

 the Tennessee. Dr. Jordan found the young not uncommon in channels of 

 French Broad River at Hot Springs and South Fork of Swannanoa River near 

 Black Mountain. The fish is there called "yellow cat ", and is a food fish of some 

 importance. The species attains a weight of 100 pounds and a length of 5 feet, 

 and has an ugly, coarse appearance. Its flesh, however, is fine and well-flavored, 

 and in Louisiana and other southern states the fish is of considerable economic 

 importance. 



Genus SCHILBEODES Bleeker. Mad-toms. 



Small cat-fishes inhabiting creeks and brooks of the eastern states. The 

 pectoral spine, which is often serrated, can inflict a very painful wound; and in 

 the axil of the fin a poison gland discharges through a small orifice. The fish 



