306 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



in I. anguilla are heavier than in the other species ; the anpraoccipital is 

 broadly triangular and its upper surface finely grooved, while in each of 

 the other species it is much longer and narrower and the upper surface is 

 nearly smooth. 



An examination of the 6 cotypes shows that there is not much variation, 

 all the important characters remaining quite constant. The maxillary bar- 

 bel varies somewhat in length, in some individuals scarcely reaching the 

 gill-opening, and the number of anal rays varies from 24 to 26. 



From the blue cat (/. f meatus) this species differs chietly in the fewer rays 

 in anal fin, the wider mouth, shorter, heavier head, much longer maxillary 

 barbel, and in the cranial characters already given. From the spotted cat 

 (/. punctatus) it may be distinguished by its wider mouth, more blunt snout, 

 heavier head, the color, and the cranial characters already mentioned. 



This species is well known to the fishermen of the Atchafalaya River, by 

 whom it is usually called the "eel cat," though the name "willow cat" is 

 sometimes applied to it. It was explained by the fishermen that the name 

 "eel cat" was given on account of the long feelers (i. e., barbels), and the 

 name "willow cat" because it is most frequently found about the roots of 

 willow trees. The eel cat is not an abundant species in the Atchafalaya 

 River. During six days spent at Morgan City (April 19-24) several hundred 

 cattish were examined at the three fish-houses, and the total number of eel 

 cats seen was fewer than twenty-five. The fishermen report that this pro- 

 portion is about as great as at any time of the year. Of four commercial 

 species of catfishes handled on this river, the most abundant one is the blue 

 cat (Ictalurus /meatus), and the next is the yellow cat or goujon (Leptops 

 olicaris). The eel cat comes next and the spotted cat (Ictalurus punctatua) 

 last. The blue cat and the yellow cat probably constitute 98 per cent of 

 the entire catch. 



The eel cat rarely weighs over 5 pounds, and usually not over 3 pounds. 

 Its flesh is firm and of excellent flavor. The spawning season appears to be 

 during the spring, as several individuals examined were in mature spawning 

 condition. In May, 1898, the writer found a few specimens of this species in 

 the Ohio River at Louisville, Ky. 



One of the species of large catfish seen in the market at Houston, Tex., in 

 1891, was called "eel cat" by some of the dealers. The specimens came 

 from the lower Trinity and San Jacinto rivers, and were identified as Icta- 

 lurus furcatus, which they undoubtedly were. The name "eel cat" was 

 also heard at the mouth of Pearl River, but no specimens were obtained. 

 This name is probably applied in different localities to different species. 



10. Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). " Spotted Cat" ; ChannelCat. This species is 



very rare in the Atchafalaya River. Only one adult was seen among several 

 hundred fish examined at Morgan City. Four young were seined in Lake 

 Lapourde, near that town. Apparently this species is much less common in 

 Louisiana than has usually been supposed. 



11. Ameiurus nebulosus (LeSueur). Common Bullhead. Three small specimens 



were obtained in a pond near Beaumont. 



12. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Black Bullhead. One specimen 7 inches long 



and 2 smaller ones from Angelina River at Michelli. 



13. Leptops olivaris (Rafinesque). "Goujon"; "Yellow Cat"; " Peided Cat"; 



"Mud Cat"; " Opelousas Cat." Next to the blue cat this is the most abun- 

 dant and important food-fish in the Atchafalaya River. It was also seen by 

 us at Baldwin Lodge, and it was reported at Beaumont, Bonners Ferry, 

 Michelli, Logansport, and Lakes Tasse and Peigneur. 



14. Schilbeodes gyrinus (Mitchill). Small Poison Cat. Two good specimens of 



this species were obtained, one from Black Bayou near Baldwin Lodge and 

 one from Lake Lapourde at Morgan City. 



