360 
IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Voi,. XXVII, 1920 
nessee river is reported as having A. melas and A. natalis. 
Alabama river has the same species and Savannah river has 
A. catus and A. platycephalus. Florida has quite a diverse col- 
lection, A. nebulosus being reported from Peace river; A. natalis 
from Hillsboro, "Withlacoochee and Santa Fe rivers and A. ere- 
bcnnus being described originally from St. John’s river. It i^ 
evident from this that A. natalis would be the most probable in- 
habitant of the swamp and we identify the eighteen specimens 
which we have as belonging to that species. 
The specimens which we have vary in length from nine to 
fourteen inches but the comparative measurements are remarkably 
uniform. 
Parasites and enemies. The bodies of all of the fish were 
opened and examined for parasites.^ Eight of these had a 
nematode parasite inside of the body cavity. Besides these in- 
ternal enemies, catfish have to contend with other inhabitants of 
the swamp. A large southern water snake. Matrix s. fasciata 
(Einne) was examined and found to contain an eleven inch 
catfish. Our notes show that catfishes and warmouths are caught 
more commonly than other species of fish by the natives and 
that these form a large proportion of the food of the people 
living in the swamp. 
We examined the stomachs of each of the specimens with the 
view of obtaining data on the food habits. Many of the stomachs 
were empty. The others contained food ranging from decayed 
animal matter to freshly caught insects and fishes and crustaceans. 
One of the most interesting stomachs contained three catfish 
spines, the pectorals being about the same size as those of the 
fish which had eaten them. 
The natives describe four species of catfishes in the swamp. 
One of these the “Mud Cat” gets to be almost two feet in length. 
We believe this to be natalis. They also describe a “Blue Cat” 
which they claim to be blue all over. It has a forked tail and is 
sometimes called “Forked-tailed Cat.” Inasmuch as A. catus is 
reported from regions about Okefinokee and the description is 
not unlike that of this species, it seems highly probable that A. 
catus occurs in the swamp. The other two forms which they 
describe are not so easily disposed of. Neither their “Channel 
Cat” or “Toad Cat” has a forked tail. The former is described 
as having a round tail with specks along the body. Inasmuch 
as they call this form “Blue Cat” we infer that the main color 
is blue. The other, the “Toad Cat” squeals when it comes from 
