BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 381 



closely resembled the fuuua so often brought up on the halibut lines 

 from the deep-water fishing areas, that it seems desirable that mention 

 should be made of it, although, strictly speaking, this haul was made 

 beyond the limits frequented by fishing vessels. Among the material 

 brought up were many blue hake {Haloporphyrus viola), grenadiers 

 {Afacnirus), 3 pole flounders [Glyptocephalus cynoglossus), a number of 

 other species of fish not identified, a large amount of the little bush- 

 coral [Acanella normani ), specimens of gold-banded coral [Keratoisis or- 

 nata), 2 or 3 species of sea-anemones, soft sea-urchins, and several spe- 

 cies of shells. 



It is worthy of note that swordfish and finback whales were seen in 

 unusual abundance on July 13. During the first part of the day as 

 many as 20 swordfish were seen in from 6 to 8 hours; frequently 2 or 

 3 were in sight at the same time. As many as 20 whales were seen at 

 one time during the morning, and a stdl greater number were seen In 

 the afternoon. At station 252S they were very numerous, apparently 

 feeding on small Crustacea, probably from 40 to 50 whales being in sight 

 at one time. They were all finbacks, so far as I could tell. Their move- 

 ments were sluggish, as they "played" back and forth in the tide rips, 

 with their mouths open, the upper jaw just at the surface, scooping in 

 "feed." They were joined by a school of porpoises (probably Delphimis 

 delpMs), which drove in among the whales, their movements indicating 

 that they were feeding, but of this we could not be sure. 



The electric light was put over the ship's side soon after dark and Mr. 

 ZS^ye succeeded in catching seveal specimens of young squid and some 

 small fish of the genus Scopelus. 



The researches on the fishing banks terminated on the 13th, and the 

 ship arrived at Wood's HoU on July IG, thus ending the cruise. 



Gloucester, Mass., Xovemher 27, 1886. 



113.-A CURIOUS KiVIFE FOUND IN THE Fr.KSII OF A CODFISBT. 



By J. W. COLLINS. 



While discharging a fare of codfish from the schooner Vinnie M. 

 Getchell, at Gloucester, Mass., on September 15, 1886, Capt. John Q. 

 Getchell,* master of the vessel, found imbedded in the thick flesh of a 



" It may be of interest in this connection to say that Captain Getchell is well known 

 in Gloucester as a veteran fisherman, he having been in command of vessels engaged 

 iu the George's fishery for the past twenty years ; during which time, he tells me, he 

 has eaten only three Thanksgiving and four Christmas dinners on the land. He is a 

 native of Maine, abo it fifty years old. When the news of Sumter's fall reached the 

 North, he enlisted and served three years in the Third Maine under Colonel (after- 

 wards General) O. O. Howard. He then exchanged his gun and a soldier's bivouac for 

 nets, lines, and the dejk of a fishing-vessel. His integrity and truthfulness are un- 

 questioned. < . 



