t 



filadelue,) by the conical head, membranaceous operculum; 

 but particularly because the first ray of all the fins, except the 

 caudal and adipose, is a kind of soft obtuse spine concealed un- 

 der the fleshy cover of the fins. It is a large fish, from two to 

 four feet long, and commonly called Yellow Cat, Mud Cat, and 

 Brown Cat; but these names are common to other species. It 

 is very good to eat, either boiled or fried. Head conical de- 

 pressed, iris redish brown, eyes black, lateral barbs white, the 

 lateral ones brownish. Operculum with a large meaibranaceous 

 appendage or flap. Body conical tapering behind. Dorsal fins 

 with 1 and 6 rays. All the fins very fat, thick, and somewhat 

 redish, abdominal fins brownish. Tail with 20 rays. 



2d Section. Ameiurus. ./Tail entire. Eyes round. Eight 

 abdominal rays. Vent posterior. Dorsal fin anterior with a, 

 spine. Lower jaw not longer. Pectoral fins, with one simple 

 •pine and seven rays, 



75th Species. Yellow Catfish, Pitnelodus cufirevs. Pime- 

 lode cuivrc. 



Upper jaw longer, barbs hajf the length of the head. Eyes 

 round: Body entirely oi a coppery yellow colour. Lateral lino 

 straight. Tail truncate entire. Anal with 15 rays. 



Si!i/ru.i cuflrcus. Monogr. sp. 9. 



Vulgar name, Yellow Catfish. Very different from the fore- 

 going. Similar however in size and form. Colour uniform, 

 extending on the head and fins. Spines short. It is found as 

 far as Pittsburgh. Very good to eat. Some have been taken 

 ■weighing over 200 pounds. Dorsal fin with I and 7 rays. 



76th Species. Brown Catfish. Pimelodun lividus. Pinl- 

 elodc lividc. 



Jaws equal, barbs nearly equal together and as long as the 

 head. Eyes round. Body entirely of a livid brown colour. 

 Tail rounded entire. Lateral line raised up wards at thebaso 

 Ar.al fin elongate with 25 rays. 



SiluruB lividus. Monogr. sp. 7. 



A small species, entirely of a leaden brown. Head short, 

 slightly olivaceous, throat pale. Barbs equal, the upper ones 

 livid, the lower ones rufous. A furrovst on the head which is 



