THE FISHES OF AKKANSAS. 
75 
Tlie Buffalo rivers are southern tribiitai'ies of the White Biver, and, no doubt, 
drain the roughest and most rugged portion of the Uzarks, if not the most elevated. 
The current of both these streams is swift and the bottom rocky. They rvere visited 
near Jasper and Loafer’s Glory in the spring of 1S92, when the water was too high 
to admit of successful collecting. 
A'illage Creek is a small stream near New]K)rt. It is so full of snags that collecting 
was almost impossible, and only a few common species were taken. 
LIST OP THE FISHES OF THE WHITE RIVER BASIN. 
1. Lepisosteus osseus (Liuuffius). Lon(/-)ioscd Gar ni'c; Common Gar Pile. Common in White River 
at Batesville and Oxford Bend, and in Strawberry River at Smithville. Many large speed- 
mens of this species and tlie short-nosed forms were observed in White River at Newport; 
also in Salado Creek near Batesville. 
2. Polyodon spathula (Walbanm). Paddle-fif^li; S 2 >oo)i-hiUcd Cat. White River at Oxlord Bend; an 
occasional specimen taken. 
3. Ictalurus punctatus (Ratinesque). Channel Cat; White Cat. Common in White River at Bates- 
ville, Strawberry River at Smithville, and in the Middle and Main Forks of White River at 
Fayetteville. Specimens can 'frequently be seen in the Fayetteville markets. Most of them 
are caught in fish -traps between Wj^mau and Oxford Bend. 
4. Ameiurus nigricans (Le Sueur). Great Catfish ; Mississq)pi Cat. A catfish weighing 67 pounds was 
caught in a fish-trap near Oxford Bend in the spring of 1892. I did not see it, bnt from what 
I learned about it I presume it lielouged to this species. Other large catfishes are reported 
to have been caught in the White River near F^ayetteville, and I have no doubt some of them 
belong to Lepiops olivaris. 
5. Amei'urus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Common Bullhead; Horned Pont. Miller Creek at Batesville; 
Black River at Black Rock. This species seems to be rare in the Ozark Mountain region. 
6. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead. Scarce in the White River and Polk Bayou at Batesville. 
but common in Spring Creek at the sarne place. Evidently more abundant than the 
jirecediug spiecies. 
7. Noturus nocturnus Jordan & Gilbert. A few small specimens from Spring River near Black Rock. 
8. Noturus gyrinus (Mitchill). Stone Cat. A few specimens were obtained from Flat and Machine 
creeks at Smithville. 
9. Noturus miurus Jordan. Thirty-seven specimens from the Middle Fork of White River, Fay- 
etteville; 12 from the Main F'ork; and 2 from White River at Oxford Bend. The longest is 
from Oxford Bend and measures 21 inches. Nearly all the others are from If to 2f inches in 
length; head, 4; depth, oh to 6; anal rays, 11 to 13, usualkv 12; pectoral sp>iue moderate; its 
length equal distance from ti)! of snout to posterior margin of orbit. On its inner margin 
are 6 retrorse spines; its outer margin smooth; occasionally one or two small siiines on 
outer margin and near its tiq). Top of head ilattish, or slightly concave between orbits; 
mouth rather large. Origin of ventrals behind last dorsal rays. Color, light olivaceous, 
punctated with dark dots. Top of head darker; 4 dark bands on back, extending as faint 
bands on sides. Caudal fin with a dark baud at its base, and one also near its tip. No 
dark spot on dorsal flu. These specimens differ from typical miurus in the smaller pectoral 
s))iue, with unserrated outer margin. It also has a more slender body. 
10. Noturus exilis Nelson. Middle Fork of White River at Elxyetteville (scarce). 
11. Noturus eleutherus Jordan. One specimen from the Main Fork of White River at EMyetteville, 
and one from Sallisaw River near Makey’s store. Length, If inches; head, 3J-; dei)th, 6; 
anal rays, 13. Pectoral spine large, 7 retrorse teeth on the inner margin, longer than the 
diameter of the serine; outer margin strongly toothed with from 18 to 25 teeth. The outer 
teetli are turned toward the tip of spine; those nearest base, toward base of spine, Avhile 
those nearest the middle of the spine are directed at right angles to the spine. Mouth 
very small; head pointed; top of head convex. Origin of Am utrals under last dorsal ray. 
Pectoral spine. If in the length of the head. Eye larger than in the preceding species. 
Color similar to W miurus. xi dark baud across nape from one pectoral fin to the other; 
a dark Ixand at base of dorsal tin, extending faintly on sides of body; 3 black bauds behind 
dorsal fin; tip of caudal black. 
