690 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



But by far the most interesting results were obtained at a distance of 

 about 20 miles east of Cape Race, in deptbs of 117 and 142 fathoms, with 

 a bottom temperature of 39° to 43£°, the former (39°) probably the more 

 accurate determination. Here, in a remarkably tenacious soft blue mud, 

 we found indications of an intermixture of the abyssal fauna, character- 

 istic of depths in the North Atlantic, between 100 and 1,000 fathoms, with 

 a temperature of about 39° Fahrenheit. At the first station examined, 

 in 142 fathoms, temperature 39° to 42°, a large female Geryon, of a deep- 

 reddish flesh color, occurred, having more spines on the carapace than 

 in G. tridens, and with eggs. Associated with this arctic crab occurred 

 two fragments of a true cup-coral, allied to Cyathopliyllum. On submit- 

 ting the specimen to Count Pourtales, he at once pronounced it a species 

 of Deltocyatlms, and, on comparison with specimens of D. Agassizii, 

 Pourtales,* from depths ranging from 60 to 327 fathoms between Cuba 

 and Florida, our specimens did not differ specifically. Pourtales re- 

 marks (page 15) that this coral has been pronounced by Dr. Duncan 

 identical with the fossil species D. italicus, and, though closely allied, 

 yet readily distinguished by the costse and other characters. I may 

 say here that the indications are that the coral was not transported to 

 this spot. This is the only truly southern form which has occurred so 

 far north. With the crab and coral occurred Schizaster fragilis and 

 certain shells and worms. 



The other station was ten miles northwest, in 117 fathoms, with the 

 same soft, tenacious mud, the temperature 394° to 43|°. Here occurred 

 a smaller Geryon, perhaps a male, and apparently, judging by Wyville 

 Thomson's figures in his work "The Depths of the Sea" (page 88), 

 identical with Kroyer's Geryon tridens. With this crab were associated 

 shells and worms. This day ended our explorations, and at night the 

 Bache arrived in Salem. 



In my work 1 was assisted by Mr. C. Cooke, assistant in the Museum 

 of the Peabody Academy of Science at Salem. I would also express my 

 obligations to Captain Howell and the officers of the Bache for the effi- 

 cient aid they rendered me. 



* Illustrated Catalogue of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, iv. Deep Sea Corals. 

 By L. F. de Pourtales, assistant, United States Coast Survey. 1871. 



