FISH OF ONTARIO. 21 



than long, with a sharp spine and about six branched rays ; adipose fin 

 short, inserted over the posterior half of the anal. Anal fin of varying 1 

 length, with fifteen to thirty-five rays, the usual number being twenty or 

 twenty-one. Caudal fin short, truncate in typical species, more or less 

 forked in those species which approach the genus Ictalurus. Ventrals each 

 with one simple and seven branched rays. Pectorals each with a stout 

 spine, which is commonly retrorse serrate behind. Lateral line usually 

 incomplete. 



The species are variable and not easily distinguished. Those in which 

 the caudal fin is forked make an approach to the genus Ictalurus. The 

 lack of connection between the supraoccipital and the interspinal buckler 

 is the only character by which these species can be separated from Icta- 

 lurus. 



SUBGENUS HAUSTOR. 



(9) Lake Catfish. Channel Cat. 



(Ameiurus lacustris.) 



Head broad, much depressed ; mouth wide ; eye rather small. Body 

 stout ; dorsal base short, one-half the height of fin. Adipose fin well 

 developed ; caudal not deeply forked ; pectoral spine as long as dorsal 

 spine. Colour olivaceous slaty, growing darker with age ; sides pale, no 

 spots ; anal dusky on edge ; barbels black. 



D. I., 5 to 6; A., 25; V. I., 8. 



This Catfish has a wide range, and is consequently variable. It is 

 generally distributed throughout the Great Lakes and in deep rivers, but 

 is more abundant in Lake Erie than any other of our waters. 



As a food fish it is highly esteemed by people who have no prejudices 

 against Catfish in general, though, like the rest- of the tribe, its appear- 

 ance is not prepossessing. 



In the south specimens weighing over one hundred pounds are said 

 to be taken, but with us the fish very rarely attains a greater weight than 

 about thirty pounds. 



Of its habits but very little is known. It is a bottom feeder and will 

 take a great variety of baits. Night lines set in its haunts and baited 

 with pieces of fish or small frogs are successfully used in taking it. 



SUBGENUS AMEIURUS. 



(10) Yellow Catfish. 



(Ameiurus natalis.) 



Head rather broad ; mouth wide, with the upper jaw usually longer 

 than the lower, sometimes equal. The dorsal profile gradually ascends 

 from the snout to the dorsal spine. Eye moderate ; maxillary barbel reach- 



