FISH OF ONTARIO. 23 



eight inches to one foot in diameter, by clearing out a slight depression 

 in the mud or sand. In this nest about two thousand eggs are deposited, 

 over which the parents keep guard, the male being most assiduous in the 

 work of protection. In about a week the eggs are hatched and the young, 

 vbich look very like little black tadpoles, follow the parent fish along the 

 shores until nearly the middle of July, when they are left to shift for them- 

 selves ; after this the fry soon scatter and disappear into deep weedy water. 

 They grow rapidly, and under favorable circumstances are said to attain 

 maturity in three years. 



The Catfish is an omnivorous feeder, nothing in the shape of animal 

 food being beneath its notice, nor is it particular where it obtains its food, 

 for I have taken it at all depths from the surface of the water to the bot- 

 tom, though its general habit is to grub about on the mud, seeking for 

 what it may devour. 



As an article of food this fish does not rank in the first class in the 

 estimation of most people; there are others, however, who prefer it to 

 any of the so-called "coarse fish," while to the small boy who goes fishing 

 it is a source of endless delight and a joy forever. 



(13) Black Catfish. 



(Ameiurus melas.) 



Body short, stout and deep. Head broad behind, rather contracted 

 anteriorly ; the dorsal profile straight and rather steep from tip of snout to 

 dorsal fin ; eye rather small ; barbels longer than head. Caudal peduncle 

 stout. Tail truncate ; adipose fin well developed ; teeth very fine, awl- 

 shaped and in broad bands. Rays of anal fin white, in marked contrast 

 with the dark membranes. The dorsal spine strong and sharply pointed ; 

 anal fin short and deep. 



D. I., 6; A., 17 to 19. 



This is a small species, rarely exceeding ten inches in length. In 

 colour it varies from yellowish brown to black above, becoming bluish 

 white below. 



I am not certain that this species should be included here, though it 

 is recorded from the upper St. Lawrence and from the south shore of Lake 

 Ontario, in New York State, and I believe that many years ago I took it 

 in the County of Lincoln, Ontario. It will probably be found sparingly 

 in Lake Erie, but its centre of abundance is south and west of this Pro- 

 vince. 



GENUS NOTURUS. (STONE CATFISH.) 



Body moderately elongate, robust except in caudal part, which is 

 much compressed ; head flat and broad ; mouth terminal broad ; teeth in 

 broad villiform bands on premaxillaries and dentaries ; teeth of upper jaw 

 prolonged backward into an elongate triangular extension ; adipose fin 

 adnate to the back ; a poison gland at the base of the pectoral spine. 



