107 



114. Ictalurus ponderosus, Bean. — Great Cat-fish. 



One of the gigantic cat-fishes. Described from the Mississippi at 

 St. Louis. Has not occurred in onr collections, unless some speci- 

 mens belong to it which are apparently intermediate between this 

 and Ictohris nigricans. I doubt if it is distinct from the latter. 



115. Ictalurus nigricans, Le Sueur. — Cat-fish of the Lakes ; Great 



Fork-tail Cat ; Mississippi Cat ; Florida Cat ; Flannel- 

 mouth Cat. 



(Bui. II, 66; Amiur us nigricans: Syno'p., 108; Ictalurus lacustris.) 



One of the gigantic cat-fishes of the Ohio, Illinois, and Mississippi, 

 and of Lake Michigan. Probably the most abundant of the large 

 species. 



116. Ictalurus natalis, Le Sueur. — Yellow Cat. 



(Bui. II, 66; Amiurus natalis: Synop., 105; do.) 



Occurs everywhere throughout Illinois, but less abundantly than 

 nehulosus, and preferring larger streams. It has not been taken by 

 us from ponds and lakes except where these were immediately con- 

 nected with streams subject to overflow. 



117. Ictalurus nehulosus, Le Sueur. — Bull-head ; Horned Pout ; 



Small Cat-fish. 



{Bui. II, 66 ; Amiurus vulgaris, Amiurus catus, Amiurus melas, 

 Amiurus xanthocephalus : Synop., 101; Amiurus xantho- 

 cephalus, Amiurus melas, Amiurus catus.) 



Abundant in all waters, frequenting by preference ponds and muddy 

 streams. It occurs, however, in clear lakes and creeks, and has 

 been taken by us occasionally in the larger rivers. It is the every- 

 where abundant "bull-head," or "bull-pout." 



118. Ictalurus marmoratus, Holbrook. — Marbled Cat. 



(Bui. II, 67; Amiurus marmoratus: Synop., 104; do.) 



The marbled cat has not occurred in the northern part of the 

 State, but seems to be most abundant in the Illinois and its tribu- 

 taries. Confined almost wholly to the larger streams and their 

 immediate atifiuents, in Central and Southern Illinois. 



Genus 62. Leptops, Kaf. 



Mud Cats. 



119. Leptops olivaris, Raf . — Mud Cat ; Yellow Cat. 



(Bui. II, 67 ; Pelodichthys olivaris.) 



Common in the larger streams. Obtained by us only from the 

 Illinois, Wabash, and Ohio Rivers. 



i5 



