94 NEiW I'ORK STATE MUSEiTJM 



longest ray equals length of postorbital part of head. The low 

 adipose fin begins over the anal origin and is continuous with 

 the caudal. The ventral origin is under the end of the dorsal 

 base, the fin does not reach to anal origin. The pectoral reaches 

 to below the middle of the dorsal. The anal base is one fifth of 

 total length without caudal; the longest try equals postorbital 

 part of head. The caudal is rounded. The pectoral spine is one 

 half as long as the head. The humeral process is one third as 

 long as the head. D. I, 6; A. 13-15; P. I, 8. Color in spirits 

 dark brown; the belly and under surface of head paler. 



The specimens described (no. 1508, U. S. National Museum) are 

 from 3| to 4 inches long. 



The general color is brownish, without blotches. Jordan in 

 the Manual says that it has a black lateral streak, sometimes 

 with two other streaks above this. I have found none with this 

 feature; it is the lateral line itself which looks darker in color. 



The eyes are small, beadlike and at night glisten like adamant, 

 indicating a more nocturnal habit. These fishes are called stone- 

 catfishes, but thej prefer still, muddy water. In the aquarium 

 it is even more hardy than the common catfish and often lies on 

 its side for hours as if dead, or remains suspended in the water 

 in various odd positions. (After Eugene Smith)^ 



Dr Meek had no knowledge of the occurrence of this species 

 near Ithaca. The museum of Cornell l^niversity has a few 

 specimens from the lake, but without definite locality. Dr Meek 

 and Mr Harris took several examples from a small stream near 

 Montezuma. Dr Evermann secured a specimen in Mill creek, 

 at Sacketts Harbor N. Y. July 2, 1811; one in Long pond, at Char- 

 lotte N. Y. Aug. 17; and one in Guff on creek, at Chaumont N. Y. 

 July 7 of the same year. In general it ranges in the Great lakes 

 region, through the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, and in New 

 York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Its length does not exceed 

 5 inches. The species is too small to be of any value except for 

 bait, and on account of its tenacity of life it is greatly in demand 

 for hook and line fishing, specially in the capture of the black 

 bass, for which it is one of the best baits known. 



^Linn. Soc. N. Y. Proc. 1897. no. 9, p. 12-13. 



