The White Cat ; Potomac Cat 



deeply forked, the upper lobe rather longer and narrower than 

 the lower; origin of dorsal a little nearer snout than adipose fin; 

 anal base as long as head. Colour, olivaceous slaty, growing 

 darker with age; sides pale, no spots; anal dusky on edge; 

 barbels black. 



White Cat; Potomac Cat 



Ameiurus cat us (Linnaeus) 



Delaware River to Texas, most common in the coastwise 

 streams and swamps, especially in the Potomac and about Chesa- 

 peake Bay, and in Florida. It has been introduced into California, 

 where it is becoming abundant. 



As a commercial fish it ranks with the Great Lakes catfish, 

 and always finds a ready sale at fair prices. The adult fishes are 

 remarkable for their wide head and large mouth. 



Anal rays 19 to 22, base of anal 4^ to 5 in body. Body 

 stout, slender in young, the head very broad in the adult ; barbels 

 long, except the nasal; caudal fin deeply forked, the upper lobe 

 the longer; humeral process extremely rugose; dorsal fin inserted 

 about midway between snout and adipose fin. Colour, pale 

 olivaceous or bluish, silvery below, without dark spots, but 

 sometimes mottled or clouded. Length 2 feet or less. 



Yellow Cat 



Ameiurus natalis (Le Sueur) 



Great Lakes southward to Virginia and Texas. 



This catfish is one of the most common and best known 

 fishes throughout its range. It is usually abundant and extremely 

 variable, several different varieties having been recognized, all 

 agreeing in the long anal of 24 to 27 rays and the squarely cut 

 caudal fin. 



We are not sure that Ameiurus lividus, the common yellow 

 cat, is not different from the short and chubby original A. natalis. 

 We have seen the latter in the United States National Museum 

 but have never taken it in life. 



The yellow cat rarely reaches a weight of more than a pound 

 or two, and is usually not distinguished by fishermen from the com- 

 mon bullhead and the black bullhead. All three species frequent 

 similar waters and all are often found in the same stream or lake. 



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