124 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



At the time of the Sauve Crevasse, in the Mississippi 

 above New Orleans, about fifteen years since, it found its way 

 into Lake Ponchartrain, and thence into Lake Borgne, and 

 the brackish and salt waters along the Gulf coast, where it is 

 now permanent. It is very prolific and has improved in its 

 flavor and appearance, having an increased silvery brightness, 

 is more elongated in form, and of more graceful proportions. 

 These changes are no doubt owing to the greater abundance 

 of molluscs and Crustacea found in its new habitat. It has 

 the true characteristics of the Scienoids, which are mollusc- 

 eating fishes, indigenous to shoal salt water. It is not very 

 unlike the Croaker in shape ; it makes a similar noise, and is 

 sometimes taker in company with that fish. The pharyn- 

 gal bones, with their peculiar crushing teeth, closely resem- 

 bles those of the Drum-fish. 



When young this is one of the most beautiful of the 

 Acanthopterri. I have never seen it larger than five pounds in 

 the New Orleans market, — there it is generally of a good size 

 for the pan. In the Ohio it attains four or five times that 

 size, ten or twelve pounds not being uncommon. This is no 

 doubt the fish referred to in the "American Angler's Guide," 

 (page 220), in these words : — " Of the Catfish. — This is the 

 common fish of the western waters, and is taken by western 

 sportsmen by squid and fly-trolling, and affords capital 

 amusement. They take their name from the noise they 

 make, similar to the purring of a cat." 



I have never heard them called "Catfish" along the Ohio 

 or Mississippi, — that name being applied only to the big- 

 mouthed fish, known all over the South and "West by that 

 appellation ; they do not take a squid or fly. Mr. Brown has 

 doubtless been imposed upon, by some person addicted to 

 telling "fish stories." 



