THE BULLHEAD 



417 



like the flesh of Catfish and bullheads, and in 

 twelve months of 1899-1901, twenty-six states 

 and six great lakes yielded twelve and a half 

 million pounds, worth $503,562. Illinois headed 

 the list with 1,569,615 pounds, worth $68,535. 



The Channel Catfish' is the large Catfish of 

 the North, and also the Mississippi valley, which 

 so closely resembles the preceding species that 

 it is at best very difficult — and sometimes im- 

 possible — to distinguish them. It is, however, 

 much smaller than the blue cat, and instead of 

 frequenting sluggish waters, it displays a decided 

 preference for river channels, and clear water 

 when it can be found. Naturally enough, its 

 flesh is said to be of better flavor than the more 

 sluggish, mud-inhabiting blue cat. 



The Common Bullhead,^ or Horned Pout, 

 is merely a small, cheap catfish, whose room is 

 better than his company. It ranges from the 

 Atlantic well into the eastern edge of .the great 

 plains, and from the great lakes to the Gulf. 



' Ic-tu-lu'rus punc-ta'tus. 

 -* Amei'u--rus neb-u-lc/sus. 



Much to the displeasure of many persons in 

 California, three species of catfish have been 

 introduced into many streams on the Pacific 

 coast. Concerning them, the San Francisco 

 Evening Bulletin has thus recorded the facts, and 

 its views thereon: 



"Then the fish commissioners made another 

 unfortunate experiment, against the strongest 

 protests that could be put forth. They intro- 

 duced the hated and almost worthless Catfish to 

 the waters of California. These fish, like the 

 carp, have multiplied rapidly. It was reported^ 

 in answer to protests made at the time, that only 

 a superior kind of Catfish would be introduced, 

 against which there could be no objection. But 

 they turned out to be the same old toughs that 

 have occupied western rivers and bayous to the 

 exclusion of better fish. These Catfish are vora- 

 cious feeders on young trout and salmon. Their 

 value is so low that very few seek them. The 

 Chinese sell them occasionally, as they do carp, 

 if they can find a customer. But most consum- 

 ers turn away from these fish in disgust." 



