94 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



longest ray equals lensfth of postorbital part of head. The lo\^ 

 adipose fin begins over the anal origin and is continuous witt 

 the caudal. The ventral origin is under the end of the dorsa! 

 base, the fin does not reach to anal origin. The pectoral reaches 

 to below the middle of the dorsal. The anal base is one fifth ol 

 total length without caudal; the longest ray equals postorbitaJ 

 part of head. The caudal is rounded. The pectoral spine is one 

 half as long as the head. The humeral process is one third as 

 long as the head. D. I, 6; A. 13-15; V. I, 8. Color in spirits 

 dark brown; the belly and under surface of head paler. 



The specimens described (no. 1508, U. S. National ^Museum) are 

 from 3i to 4 inches long. 



The general color is brownish, without blotches. Jordan in 

 the Manual says that it has a black lateral streak, sometimes 

 with two other streaks above this. I have found none with this 

 feature; it is the lateral line itself which looks darker in color. 



The eyes are small, beadlike and at night glisten like adamant, 

 indicating a more nocturnal habit. These fishes are called stone- 

 catfishes, but they prefer still, muddy water. In the aquarium 

 it is even more hardy than the common catfish and often lies on 

 its side for hours as if dead, or remains suspended in the water 

 in various odd positions. (After Eugene Smith)i 



Dr Meek had no knowledge of the occurrence of this species 

 near Itliaca. The museui^i of roiiicll rniveisity has a few 

 specimens from the lake, but without definite locality. Dr Meek 

 and Mr Harris took several examples from a small stream near 

 Montezuma. Dr Evermann secured a specimen in Mill creek, 

 at Sacketts Harbor X. Y. .Inly 2. 1841; one in Long pond, at Char- 

 lotte N. Y. Aug. 17; and one in Gulf on creek, at Chaumont N. Y. 

 .Inly 7 ..f 11m. same year. In general it ranges in the Great lakes 

 region, through ihr :Mississippi and Ohio valleys, and in New 

 York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Its length does not exceed 

 5 inches. The species is too small to be of any value except for 

 bait, and ..n a.count of its tenacity of life it is greatly in demand 

 for hook an.i line fishing, specially in the capture of the black 

 bass, for which it is one of the best baits known. 



Llim. Soc. N. Y. Proc. 1897. no. 9, p. 12-13. 



