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 1 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 , 3 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. 
1 Ic-tu-lu'rus punc-ta'tus. 
2 Amei'u—rus neb-u-lo'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.” 
