390 THE ARCTURUS ADVENTURE 



142 Leptocephalus 



Large purple many-spined Zoea of an Astacus 

 3 small squid, all very different 

 3 Pipefish, one with covered ova in its pouch 

 More than 40 large and small Sagittae 

 Several small fish 

 1 red-eyed Annelid 

 Many Pteropods of several species 



Untold thousands of black Candace copepods and the bright steel- 

 blue Pontella 



Noon position; Lat. 27'=' 57' N; Long. 46° 42' W. 



March 4th. Decided that the Sargasso Sea was too disturbed for use- 

 ful study and turned toward Panama and the Pacific, planning to come 

 back here in the summer, when we hope the weather will be more pro- 

 pitious. And, having given up the Sargasso Sea, we are now passing 

 more weed than at any other time ! Tubful after tubful scooped up 

 today, and in it found our first Pterophryne of the trip. Nudibranchs 

 particularly plentiful and many pipefish. Half a dozen boobies seen in 

 distance, and flyingfish numerous. Sighted northbound steamer on 

 horizon. 



Noon position; Lat. 26° 43' N; Long. 48° 52' W. 



March 5th. Fairly rough, partly cloudy. Sounded at 7:30 in 1983 

 fathoms, bringing up red clay and Globigerina. At 9 a.m. took 

 temperatures, then sent down two Petersen trawls to 500 and 250 

 fathoms. Most successful hauls so far, bringing in hosts of giant- 

 mouthed Cyclothones, many silver Argyropelecus, and best of all, a 

 tiny stalk-eyed fish, Stylo phthalmus, so delicate that we were afraid to 

 touch it until we found that it was not quite so fragile as it looked. 

 A third trawl was put over, and then as the crew and all the men had 

 worked all day, the women of the party volunteered to take over the 

 tedious work of oiling, beating and wiping the cable as it came in. 

 Another good haul. No one left the laboratory and main deck before 

 midnight. 



March 6th. Ship rolled wildly all night, to an accompaniment of 

 dismal crashes. Nervous scientists staggering about wet decks to 

 see whether said crashes were irreplaceable laboratory equipment or 

 merely kitchen supplies. No great damage done. Wallowing along in 

 the trades now, swell so heavy that course has been changed to take 

 it head on. No one has the heart to suggest trawling. Working 

 on captured fish so far as the motion of the ship will permit. 



Noon position; Lat. 25° 14' N; Long. 52° 54' W. 



March 7th. Squally, rainy and rough. Put over Petersen trawl 

 at 9 a. m. in 250 fathoms. Towed four hours. Result: 



1 pygmy sailfish 

 13 Cvclothone 



