LOG OF THE ARCTURUS 417 



seen no more. Shearwaters and frigatebirds stooped through the vapor 

 to snatch at fish floating in this gigantic cauldron, and we saw dead 

 petrels and shearwaters that had ventured once too often to this 

 tempting feast. 



We circled in front of the spectacle all day, while binoculars, 

 cameras and paintbrushes were busy. The sea was too rough for the 

 launching of a small boat, so no attempt to land could be made. We 

 feasted our eyes on the stupendous sight and made every possible 

 record, reluctantly convinced by the captain that our impending water 

 shortage made it imperative to start for Panama that night. About 

 8 p. m. we steamed away, watching the superb color as it receded, 

 and longing for more time and further opportunity to study this 

 marvellous display. 



Noon position: Lat. 0° 03' S: Long. 91° 12' W. 



June 15th. To-day the steering-gear broke without warning. It may 

 be just as well that we left the volcano when we did, as the strong 

 onshore wind and current might have driven us into one of those catar- 

 acts of molten rock, — and the Arcturus is a wooden ship. Steering with 

 the wheel aft as soon as it could be put in commission. Condenser is 

 out of order, so no stops for trawling to-day. 



Passed in sight of James, Bindloe, Indefatigable, the Daphnes and 

 Eden and at 3 p. m. we passed not far from Tower, to the southward, 

 and sadly looked our last at the Galapagos. 



Noon position: Lat. 0° 03' S: Long. 91° 12' W. 



June 16th. A beautiful day, with some showers. A small school of 

 real porpoises rolled along, going northwest and barely coming out 

 to breathe. 



Steering gear and condenser still out of order. 



In the evening a white-faced petrel, Pelagodroma marina, flew on 

 board, and others called plaintively in the distant darkness. Later 

 one of the sailors caught a sooty tern. 



This morning saw the last of the large maroon-winged flyingfish which 

 are so common around the Galapagos and especially near Hood. In 

 the afternoon only the small, clear-winged species seen. 



Noon position: Lat. 1° 40' N; Long. 88° 17' W. 



June 17th. Perfect day, slight swell. Tunnies in numbers acting as 

 escorts round the bow, flyingfish numerous, and Pyrosoma being used 

 as shelter by little fishes. 



Noon position: Lat. 2° 25' N: Long. 86° 06' W. 



June 18th. Calm day, steaming steadily, except for one evening 

 haul from 8:30 to 9:00 p. m., getting many Myctophum coccoi and two 

 beautiful Astronesthes. 



Noon position: Lat. 4° 27' N: Long. 83° 44' W. 



June 19th. One evening surface haul again brought in Myctophum 

 coccoi, and four Astronesthes, two of which had swallowed a large coccoi 



