LOG OF THE ARCTURUS 405 



At 9 a. m. sent down Petersen and metre net to 500 metres, a 

 second metre net to 300, and a third to 100 metres. In the second 

 and third nets were masses of the pale salmon-pink shrimp and 

 copepod plankton which we get at the surface every evening, but 

 no Myctopliids. Cyclothone, and Vinciguerrm were the dominant fish, 

 and there were also many larval forms of several unidentified species. 



In afternoon put half-metre net on end of a Petersen and sent 

 down to 800 fathoms. Complete failure, only a little plankton and 

 one black Cyclothone resulting. 



A petrel flew aboard at 8 p. m. 



Noon position; Lat. 2° 33' S: Long. 89° 44' W. 



Three or four tow's in evening at surface. First brought in twenty 

 Myctophids, but at 9 p. m. there were none in net. A dozen tiny, 

 elongated fish larvae were taken, one of which had been swallowed by 

 a Sagitta. Holocentrus larvae taken, and some Leptocephalus, three of 

 which were enormous. 



April 24th. All day spent putting down, towing and bringing up 

 bottom dredge, and at 4 p. m. when it reached the deck, it was opened 

 and its contents studied. 



Noon position: Lat. 1° 44' S: Long. 89° 39' W. 



April 25th. Bottom dredge down this morning in two miles of 

 water, and recovered it before noon. It contained a vast heap of 

 sea-cucumbers, icy-cold from the depths, and not much else. Steamed 

 north for Hood as soon as the dredge came in. Found a tremendous 

 surf beating on southeast side, and went round to northwest, where all 

 swells and rough water ceased. Anchored in twenty-one fathoms in 

 Gardner Bay, one of the loveliest spots in the Galapagos. A long 

 sand-beach was a favorite sunning place for sea-lions, and hundreds of 

 doves fluttered along shore. Saw black hawk, many mockingbirds, 

 and a few finches. 



Small boats were quickly put over, and everyone scattered to ex- 

 plore, collect and fish. In the evening the spot-light beside the lowered 

 gangway attracted large, gorgeously colored flyingfish by hundreds, 

 whizzing out of the water like bullets, striking with a crash against 

 the side of the ship, falling on the main deck, and filling the boats 

 that were moored to the boom. The bottom of the gangway was 

 really quite a perilous post, as a fifteen-inch fish going full tilt 

 through the air is a missile not to be despised. There were also half- 

 beaks and pipefish, and many smaller species, which we scooped up 

 with nets, and found to be most interesting, but difficult of identifi- 

 cation. Sea-lions were at the edge of the circle of light, occasionally 

 rushing into view to seize a fish from the numbers milling about the 

 ladder. 



April 26th. Diving-helmet in action again, in the lee of Gardner 

 island. Found water slightly colder here. Brought up many rocks 

 from the bottom, for their covering of invertebrates, and later found 

 Balanoglossus and a host of worms and crabs. In one spot, small. 



