CLASS V. PISCES: ORDER 3. TELEOSTEA. 
479 
fouBcl in New England. The Large-scaled Sucker, C. macrolepidotus^ is found in the Dela- 
wai-e River. These species are doubtless more widely distributed than we have indicated in the 
particular descriptions ; there are also several other species. 
THE P^CILIID^. 
These fishes so closely resemble the carps that they were formerly included with them as of 
the same family. They are small, scaly fish, inhabiting the fresh waters of warm climates. The 
best known species is the Four-eyed Loach, Anableps tetroi^hthalmus^ of Guiana. 
THE CHARACINIDJE. 
These seem to be intermediate between the Cyprinidoe and the Salmonidce. They are found in 
rivers and lakes of tropical countries, and some attain a large size. A few are very voracious : 
the Serrasalraones are said to seize upon water-fowl, and even to attack men while bathing. 
THE SILURID^. 
This family includes numerous species of fresh-water fishes, often of considerable size, the skins 
usually naked, or more or less covered 
Avith bony plates, especially about the 
head. They are for the most part 
confined to the rivers and lakes of 
warm countries. 
Genus SILLTRUS : Silurus, includes 
the Sly Silurus or Sheat-Fish, S. 
fflanis, found in the rivers of Central 
Europe, and in those of Asia and 
Africa, and also in the lakes of Swit- 
zerland. It sometimes attains the 
length of six feet, and the weight of 
three hundred pounds. It is a slow 
and sluggish fish, lying in wait for its 
prey in holes and muddy bottoms. It 
is very voracious, and has been known 
been found in one of them. Its flesh is 
THE SLT SILURUS. 
to devour children ; the body of a woman has also 
white, and relished by many persons. 
Genus MALAPTERURUS : Malap)te7'urus, includes the M. electricus, ten to fifteen inches 
long ; found in the Nile and Senegal Rivers, and has electrical properties, though in no great 
degree. 
Genus PIMELODUS : Pimelodus. — This includes several remarkable American species, gen- 
erally called Cat-Fish. The Great Lake Cat-Fish, P. nigricans, is two to four feet long, and 
weighs from six to twenty-five pounds ; color deep olive-brown ; prefers muddy bottoms, and 
is usually taken with the spear. Found in Lake Erie. Its flesh is little valued. 
The Common Cat-Fish, P. catus, is six to ten inches long, nearly black above, pearly-gray 
beneath. It is armed with sharp spines, which frequently inflict a smarting wound on the hand 
of the incautious angler. This is a common species in all the Atlantic States ; it is frequently 
called Horn-Pout, Bull-Pout, and Minister. 
The Great Huron Pimelode, P. pallidus, often called Channel Cat-Fish, attains a weight of 
one hundred and fifty pounds. The skin is smooth, thick, and lubricated by a mucous secretion ; 
the color is dingy greenish-brown. The flesh is rich and gelatinous, and resembles that of an 
eel. It is a greedy biter, and takes almost any animal bait. 
Dr. Kirtland has named several other species, found in the waters of Ohio, and there are still 
others, some of great size, in the Mississippi and other Southern and Western rivers. It is said 
there arc thirty species of cat-fish in the interior Avaters of the United States. 
