x REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
2.—INQUIRY RESPECTING FOOD-FISHES AND THE FISHING GROUNDS. 
A.—FIELD-WOR?r. 
In this branch of inquiry field-work was carried on in a thorough 
manner along the Eastern coast of North America from the Straits of 
Florida to Newfoundland. From February 20 to May 10 the steamer 
Albatross, Lieut. Commander Z. L. Tanner, U. 8S. Navy, commanding, 
was engaged in a survey of the region about the Bahama Islands, in 
the joint interests of the Fish Commission and the Navy Department, 
the expenses of the cruise being shared by the two. The purpose of the 
voyage, on the part of the Fish Commission, was to ascertain, if possi- 
ble, the winter range and habits of certain important food-fishes, which 
resort to the Eastern coast of North America during the warmer months, 
but whose first appearance in the spring and whose abundance during 
the fishing season vary from year to year. The principal species con- 
cerning which information of this character was desired were the mack- 
erel, menhaden, and blnefish; but attention was also to be paid to other 
economic forms, such as the Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, and drum, 
if found to occur abundantly in those waters. On behalf of the Navy 
Department several lines of soundings were to be made to the north- 
ward and eastward of the islands and in the deeper channels which 
separate them, the hydrography of this important region being but 
little known. Mr. James E. Benedict was in charge of the civilian sci- 
entific staff, and was assisted by Mr. Thomas Lee, Mr. Charles H. Town- 
send, Mr. Willard Nye, jr., and Mr. F. L. Washburn, the two last men- 
tioned being volunteers. 
The work of sounding was begun to the north of Great Abaco Isl- 
and, and was carried thence southeastward along the Atlantic side of 
the islands as far as San Salvador or Watling’s Island, and offshore. 
in some places to a distance of over 100 miles. The greatest depth of 
water discovered was 3,196 fathoms, in latitude 28° 34’ 42” north, longi- 
tude 76° 10/ 25” west, or about 110 miles northeast of Great Abaco. 
Several lines were run between the five islands lying at the mouth of 
Exuma Sound, namely, Cat Island, Long Island, Watling’s Island, 
Concepcion Island, and Rum Cay, showing that the intervening channels 
are of great depth, the depth in one place exceeding 2,400 fathoms. 
From this point the soundings were carried through Exuma Sound to its 
upper end, and thence by way of the open sea on the eastern side of 
Eleuthera Island to the town of Nassau, New Providence Island. Sub- 
sequently the work was continued through the Northeast and North- 
west Providence channels and the Tongue of Ocean. On the home- 
ward journey soundings were also made to the east and north of Great 
Abaco Island and Little Bahama Bank, and off the coast of the South- 
ern Atlantic States as far as Cape Hatteras. During these explora- 
tions one trip was made to Key West and Havana for the purpose of 
