312 



SILURIDiE. 



that of an arm ; very large ones are sometimes brought up 

 in the lakes by the fishermen's nets, for they keep mostly 

 at the bottom, being what is termed a " ground fish.'' 

 They are said only to leave their depths when boisterous 

 weather is impending, a curious instinct causing them to 

 approach the surface some hours in anticipation of the 

 coming storm. It is not true, as has been stated, that 

 when taken they make a noise resembling the purring 

 of a cat ; this peculiarity belongs to a totally different fish. 

 The flesh is very fat and said to be excellent; but 

 though I have caught them in scores, involuntarily, I was 

 never tetnpted to try the taste of one. 



^Sff" 



j^&mi¥' 



>.«.vjci^*. *s^^ 



NIAO.VEA IlITER, AND LAKE ONTARIO. 



