SILURID#. 25 
Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). COMMON BULL-HEAD ; 
HORNED POUT. 
Head broad and flattened, upper jaw noticeably the longer. Body rather 
elongate, depth 4 to 4%. Anal fin with 20 to 22 rays, its base contained 4 
times in length of body. Humeral process more than % the length of the 
rather long pectoral spine. Color dark brown or brownish yellow, usually 
somewhat clouded, sometimes nearly black. Length 18 inches. 
A very common species in the lake and its tributaries, less 
common in the Ohio river drainage, but found in all larger 
streams. ‘‘ Occasionally seen in the Cincinnati markets,’’ Kirt- 
land; Lake Erie, Henshall, 1889 ; Lorain County, ‘‘common in 
all streams,’’ McCormick, 1892; Maumee river at Cecil and 
Waterville, Fish creek at Edgerton, St. Mary’s river at St. 
Mary’s, Gordon and Lost creeks near Cecil, Tiffin river at West 
Unity and Brunersburg, Auglaize river at Wapakoneta, Clover- 
dale, Oakwood and Defiance, Sugar creek at Cloverdale and Lima, 
Lost creek at Lima, Blanchard river at Findlay and Cloverdale, 
Hoaglin creek at Oakland, Kirsch, 1893; Franklin County, 
Scioto river, Olentangy river, Mason’s run, Big Walnut, Little 
Walnut, Big Darby and Alum creeks, Williamson & Osburn, 
1897; Huron river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, Ashtabula creek at 
Ashtabula, R. C. Osburn, 1899; Pippin lake, Summit lake, R. C. 
Osburn, 1900. , 
Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). BLACK BULL-HEAD. 
Body stout, short and deep, back high, the profile nearly straight to base 
of dorsal fin. Head broad, rounded in front, jaws about equal. Pectoral 
spine short, its length contained 21% to 3 times in length of head. Anal fin 
short and deep, its base 4% to 5 in length of body, rays 17 to 19, the light 
colored rays contrasting sharply with the dark membranes. Color almost 
black, sometimes brownish or yellowish, the belly pale or yellowish. This 
species shares with the three next preceding the name of Bull-head, the 
ordinary fisherman not drawing very fine distinctions in regard to species. 
The Black Bull-head is the most abundant species of catfish in 
the state, found in nearly all streams and ponds of whatever size, 
and especially in the Ohio river drainage. It is less abundant in 
the lake drainage. Itis a mud loving species and is less likely to 
be found in clear, swift streams than in muddy, stagnant bayous. 
A, xanthocephalus Rafinesque is now recorded as synonymous 
