196 FISHES OF ILLINOIS 



that the long and low adipose fin is continuous with the caudal 

 except for a shallow notch, while these fins are wholly separate 

 in the other catfishes. According to Dr. Jordan, it lurks 

 habitually under stones and logs. Dr. Eigenmann reports that 

 the eggs of this species were laid, in Turkey creek, Indiana, in 

 the latter half of June, in depressions under boards, and that 

 they were apparently watched by the adult. The young re- 

 main for some time in the nest after hatching. 



GENUS SCHILBEODES BLEEKER 



Body more or less elongate, subcylindrical anteriorly, the tail compressed. 

 Head less depressed than in Noturus. Skin rather thin, very finely villose or 

 almost smooth. Supraoccipital bone free from head of second interspinal. 

 Teeth subulate, in broad bands, the band of upper jaw abruptly truncated 

 at each end as in Ameiurus (without lateral backward extensions as in Leptops 

 and Noturus). Adipose fin long and low, connected with the accessory rays 

 of the caudal, from which it may or may not be separated by a notch. Caudal 

 fin obliquely truncated or rounded, with numerous rudimentary or accessory 

 rays both above and below caudal peduncle. Anal fin short, its rays 12 to 23. 

 Ventrals much rounded. A poison gland present beneath the epidermis 

 surrounding base of pectoral spine. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES OF SCHILBEODES FOUND IN ILLINOIS 



a. Pectoral spine entire behind or only slightly roughened near base;* adipose 



fin continuous with caudal, the notch being absent or faint, never acute. 



b. Jaws equal; anterior and posterior edges of pectoral spine entire, or the 



anterior edge very slightly roughened near tip; color purplish olive to dark 



brownish, without noticeable specking; three dark streaks on sides 



gyrinus. 



bb. Lower jaw included; pectoral spine entire in front or with 1 or 2 obscure 

 points near tip, entire or weakly toothed near base behind; color dark 

 brown to iblackish, flecked rather coarsely with darker; dorsal, anal, and 

 caudal fins pale-edged nocturnus. 



aa. Pectoral spine with distinct posterior serrse, which are recurved and in 

 length more than % the diameter of spine; notch between adipose and 

 caudal fins always more or less acute. 



c. Pectoral spine short, 3 in head, the posterior serrse not % diameter of spine; 



notch between caudal and adipose fins usually shallow; color light brown, 

 sometimes faintly mottled; a large squarish spot of lighter color on back 



before dorsal and a smaller crescentic one behind it .exilis. 



cc. Pectoral spine longer, less than 2 in head, its posterior serrse strong and in 

 length nearly equaling diameter of spine; notch between adipose and cau- 

 dal fins deep and acute; color grayish with black specks and larger 

 blotches; 4 saddle-like blotches on back, the last but one extending upon 

 adipose fin to its edge miurus. 



* Arkansas specimens of S. nocturnus have a few short sharp teeth near base behind (Jordan). 



