Native Fishes of Iowa. 167 



small to be a food fish of importance. Great lakes to Virginia 



and Texas. Apparently scarce in Iowa. 



it Anal rays 30 to 22. The rajs and membrane about the same color. 



13. Ameiurus nebulosus. — LcStieur. — Common Bull-head, 



Horned Pout. 

 Common in sluggish streams and ponds in Iowa. Length 

 about 12 inches. Rather too small for food, but is often eaten. 

 Wisconsin, Iowa and Texas to Virginia and northeast. 



tit Anal rays iS to 20. The rays pale, the membrane dark. 



14. Ameiurus melas. — Rafinesqne. 



This species is far more abundant in Iowa than either of 

 the two preceding forms. Length about 12 inches. New 

 York to Iowa and Kansas. 



ee Pre-maxillary band of teeth with lateral backward process on each side. 

 Lower jaw projecting. Anal rays 12 to 15. Head broad and much 

 depressed. 



Genus lo. Leptops. — Rafinesqne. 



15. Leptops olivaris. — Rafinesqne. — Mud Cat. Flat-head 



Cat. Russian Cat. Gou Jon. 

 This species is found only in larger streams. It is next 

 larger to A. nigricans. It reaches a weight of 75 pounds, 

 but one is seldom taken at present half that weight. One of 

 our best food fishes. Iowa to Ohio and southwest. 



dd Adipose fin adnate to the back, and more or less joined to the caudal fin. 



Genus II. NoTURUS. — Rafinesqne. 



j Pre-maxillary band of teeth with lateral backward processes. Pectoral 

 spine retrorse-serrate in front, roughish behind. Anal rays 16. 



16. NoTURUS FLAvus. — Rafinesque. — Stone Cat. 



This species appears quite common in the state. Like the 

 other species of the genus, it inhabits sluggish waters, and is 

 usually found among logs and in weedy and stony places. 

 The wound produced by the pectoral spine is very painfuL 

 This is supposed to be due to the presence of a poison gland 

 at base of spine. 



