312 SILURID^. 



that of an arm ; very large ones are sometimes brought up 

 in the lakes by the fishermen's nets, for they keep mostly 

 at the bottom, being what is termed a " ground fish." 

 They are said only to leave their depths when boisterous 

 weather is impending, a curious instinct causing them to 

 approach the surface some hours in anticipation of the 

 coming storm. It is not true, as has been stated, that 

 when taken they make a noise resembling the purring 

 of a cat; this peculiarity belongs to a totally different -fish. 

 The flesh is .very fat and said to be excellent; but 

 though I have caught them in scores, involuntarily, I was 

 never tempted to try the taste of one. 



NIAGARA RIVER, AND LAKE ONTARIO. 



