24 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 



Ameiurus natalis (L,e Sueur). Yellow Cat. 



Head broad and short ; upper jaw slightly projecting. Body stoutish ; 

 the back low, not arched. Anal fin long, its base contained in length of 

 body 2,% to 3% times ; its rays 24 to 27. Color usually brownish or yellow- 

 ish, sometimes black ; belly pale or yellowish. Length about a foot. Ohio 

 specimens seem to fall into the nominal variety cupreiis, as indicated by the 

 longer upper jaw. 



This is a common species in most parts of Ohio, occurring in 

 nearly all streams and lakes. ' ' The yellow catfish I have only 

 seen in the Cincinnati markets, where it is comparatively rare," 

 Kirtland ; Lake Erie, Henshall, 1889 ; Lorain County, " common 

 in the ponds, streams and lake," McCormick, 1892; Maumee 

 river at Antwerp, Defiance, Grand Rapids and Waterville, Tiffin 

 river at Brunersburg, Sugar creek at Lima, Lost creek at Lima, 

 Blanchard river at Findlay and Ottawa, Beaver creek at Grand 

 Rapids, " seemingly scarce at all of these points," Kirsch, 1893 ; 

 Franklin County, Scioto river, Olentangy river, Big Walnut, 

 Little Walnut and Darby creeks, and Hell Branch, Williamson 

 and Osburn, 1897 ; Ohio river at Ironton, John's creek at Water- 

 loo, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, Wabash 

 river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks at Dayton, North Fork 

 of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Chippewa lake, 

 Summit lake, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



Ameiurus vulgaris (Thompson). L,ong-jawed Catfish. 



Head 3^ to 4, a little longer than broad, considerably narrowed forward 

 when viewed from above, lower jaw distinctly projecting. Body somewhat 

 elongate and compressed, the back somewhat elevated. Anal rays 20. Color 

 dark brownish or black, becoming white rather abruptly on the belly. 

 Length 18 inches. 



The Long Jawed Catfish is not common in Ohio, but seems to 

 be widely distributed. Jordan mentions it as "taken in Lake 

 Erie and occasionally in the Ohio " ; Henshall in 1889 records it 

 for Lake Erie; Lorain County, "Martin's run, only one 

 recorded," McCormick, 1892 ; two specimens from the Ohio 

 canal at Columbus, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 '■> Pippin lake, 

 R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



