Specimens: (PLATE 72) 



This southern species is not common north of Cape Hatteras 

 and is rare in Rhode Island waters. Two smooth puffers were col- 

 lected by the author in 1957. One, 15.5 inches (TL) was taken in 

 the trap oft" the Point Judith breakwater on July 2, 1957; and the 

 other. 17 inches (TL), was taken by the trawler Jane Dore, four 

 miles SE of Watch Hill, on October 17, 1957. 



Genus Sphaeroides 



(208) Sphaeroides maculatus (Bloch and Schneider) 1801 

 Puffer, swellfish, globefish, snowball 



Specimens: (PLATES 73, 74) 



This is a very abundant species during summer and fall in Rhode 

 Island waters. Large quantities are taken by trawler and trap 

 fishermen. Anglers frequently hook this species and are familiar 

 with its ability to inflate itself into a round sphere with air or water. 



Economic Importance: 



The tail section of this species is tasty and sometimes marketed 

 under the name of sea squab. Usually this species is utilized with 

 the trash fish, but occasionally some are filleted and shipped to 

 market. During 1957, 7,414 pounds of swellfish valued at $245, 

 were landed as food fish at Rhode Island ports. 



Genus Cheilichthys 



(209) Cheilichthys testudineas (Linnaeus) 1758 

 Glovefish, blowfish, tambor 



Specimens: 



This tropical species, which reaches a length of seven or eight 

 inches (TL) has been taken at Newport, according to Tracy (1910). 



(210) Cheilichthys trichocephalus (Cope) 1870 

 Hairy blowfish 



Specimens: 



The type specimen and only specimen known of this species was 

 a four-inch fish taken in the Gulf Stream off Newport by S. Powell, 

 according to Tracy (1910). 



79 



