THE FISHES OF NEW JERSEY. 171 
in the small streams and large creeks. ‘Though a good food-fish, 
it is frequently held in low esteem on account of its habits as a 
scavenger. It is to be found in either clear or muddy water if 
still, either in tide-water or above, and frequently numerous about 
the mouths of sewers. ‘Those found in the smaller streams, 
brooks and ponds are often smaller, and in the latter one may find 
them sometimes very abundant, or in large schools moving slowly 
along the bottom all closely herded together. They rest in the 
concavities of deep pools in this fashion, and it is seldom that a 
net fails to dislodge a number of them. 
Ameiurus nebulosus Bean, Bull. Am. Mus. H., IX, 1897, p. 
332.—Evermann, Recreation, April, 1902, p. 292. 
Amurus dekayi Abbott, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, 
p. 95.—Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 826.—Abbott, Am. Nat., 
IV, 1870, pp. 386, 390. 
Anuurus atrarius Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 826. 
Genus SCHILBEODES Bleeker. 
The Mad Toms. 
Key to the species. 
a. Body rather short and thick; depth 4 to 5%; fins uniform. GYRINUS 
aa. Body elongate; depth about 6; fins with dark margins. INSIGNIS 
Schilbeodes gyrinus (Mitchill). 
Stone Cat. Little Cat Fish. Poison Cat Fish. Mud Cat Fish. 
lead) 334 4 depths? /,2).1,.7;.1; Aang a sawidth .of head 
1% in its length; snout 244; eye 6; width of mouth 2; inter- 
orbital space 21%; third dorsal ray 2; fourth branched anal ray 
- 2%; caudal 1%; pectoral 134 ; ventral 24%; least depth of caudal 
peduncle 2'/,;. Body comparatively short, deep and robust. 
Head large, depressed. Snout short, broad and depressed. Eye 
a little longer than deep, a little anterior. Mouth broad, with 
broad fleshy lips. Upper jaw projecting a little. ‘Teeth fine, 
pointed, in bands in jaws. Maxillary barbel reaching axil of 
