SILURID&. ag 
Distributed throughout the state, but more abundant in the 
Ohio and tributaries. Rafinesque records it under the name 
Pimelodus (Silurus) maculatus, ‘‘ as far as Pittsburg.’’ Kirtland 
mentions it under the name Pzmelobus coerulescens, as ‘‘ common 
to the Ohio and lake waters,’’ and as P. pallidus, ‘‘common in 
the Ohio at Cincinnati.’’ The latter is identical with the former. 
Abundant in Ohio and Little Miami rivers, Henshall, 1888 ; 
Lorain County, common, McCormick, 1892; Maumee river at 
Toledo and Grand Rapids, Kirsch, 1893; Muskingum river at 
McConnellsville, Prof. D. S. Kellicott, 1895 ; Franklin County, 
‘“common in all larger streams, especially in Big Walnut creek,’’ 
Williamson and Osburn, 1897; Ohio river and Ice creek at 
Ironton, Wabash river at Celina, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Chippewa 
lake, Ohio river at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 
Genus:  AMEIURUS. 
Key to Species. 
A. Caudal fin forked.— lacustris 
AA. Caudal fin not forked. 
B. Anal fin long, of 24 to 27 rays (counting rudiments).— natalts. 
BB. Anal fin shorter, of 17 to 22 rays. 
(S Lower jaw projecting. Anal rays 20.— vulgaris. 
CC. Lower jaw not projecting. 
D. Pectoral spines long, 2 to 2% in head ; anal rays 20 to 23.—nebulosus. 
DD. Pectoral spines shorter, 244 to 3 in head; anal rays 17 to 19.—melas. 
Ameiurus lacustris (Walbaum). Mussisstppr Cart; GREAT 
FORK-TAILED CAT. 
Head 4, low, broad and depressed, its upper surface quite flat, its width 
2 its length. Depth 5; D. I-5; A. 25 to 32, base of the fin as long as head. 
Humeral process short, only a little over 4% the length of pectoral spine. 
Body stouter than in the preceding genus. Caudal fin deeply forked. Color 
dark olivaceous or slate, growing darker with age ; belly pale, no dark spots 
on sides. Our largest catfish, said to reach a weight of 150 pounds or more. 
In Ohio this species is well distributed, being found in the lake, 
Ohio river and larger streams. Kirtland does not record this 
species, probably confusing it with his P7melobus coerulescens 
(Letalurus punctatus). Common in the Ohio river, Henshall, 
1888 ; Lorain County, common in the lake and lower parts of 
the rivers, McCormick, 1892; Franklin County, two specimens 
taken in Big Darby creek; one of these, a female weighing 4% 
pounds, contained eggs, June 21, 1897, Williamson and Osburn. 
