FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 453 



that the color is brown varied with orange, and that he saw individuals of a uniform 

 brown without any spots or clouds. 



The young are rather common in Gravesend Bay, from August to October, and 

 sometimes as late as November. Adults are rarely seen there. In 1898, only 

 young individuals were obtained. These were caught at Southampton in the ocean, 

 at Islip, and Fire Island inlet. None of the young were seen in the summer of 

 1901, but two adults were captured in waters adjacent to Fire Island in x^ugust. 



Suborder OSTRACODERMI. Trunk Fishes. 

 Family OSTRACIID^. 



186. Trunk Fish {Lactop/irys trigoiius Linnaeus). 



The Common Trunk Fish, also known as Chapin and Shellfish, is a native of the 

 West Indies ; it is very common as far north as Bermuda and Key West and 

 occasionally extends northward in summer in the Gulf Stream as far as Cape Cod. 

 It grows to the length of about i foot. This is the Dromedary Trunk Fish of 

 DeKay's New York Fauna, page 341, plate 58, figure 190. The origin of the fish 

 figured by DeKay was unknown to him, but he was informed that it was taken on 

 the shore of Long Island. A very small example, only Yz of an inch long, was taken 

 in Gravesend Bay in August, 1897. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., according to Dr. Smith, adult Trunk Fish have not been 

 observed, but the very young are not uncommon and are taken every year from 

 July to October. On quiet days they are seen singly or in scattered bodies in the 

 eelgrass by the wharves. The largest specimens are one inch long and the smallest 

 ^ inch. They are taken under the gulfweed in surface tow nets and in shore 

 seines. Several dozen have been obtained at one seine haul. 



Suborder GYMNODONTES. 

 Family TETRAODONTID^. Puffers. 



187. Smooth Puffer {Lagoccphalus Icevigatiis Linneeus). 



The Smooth Puffer is found along the coast from Cape Cod to Brazil ; it is com- 

 mon southward but less common north of Cape Hatteras; it reaches the length of 

 2 feet; it is not a food fish. 



At Great Egg Harbor Bay, N. J., individuals measuring from 4^ to 7 inches 

 were moderately abundant in August and September, 1887. The fish was unknown 

 to the fishermen. 



