INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 217 



Fishery iiivestigatious liave been carried on from the vicinity of Cape 

 Flattery to Cape Orford. The various species of fish were found gen- 

 erally distributed along the coast, occurring in greater numbers on the 

 banks hereafter mentioned. There wsis a notable absence of fish in the 

 immediate vicinity of rocks inhabited by sea lions and lying near the 

 coast where the line fishermen would naturally expect to find employ- 

 ment. There were, however, exceptions to this rule, as good fishing was 

 found on Orford Eeef in close i^roximity to nundiers of these auimals. A 

 table of fishing stations is appended, showing the species taken at each 

 station, and for convenience of reference the work of last season is 

 included. 



The fishing-banks in the region under discussion are few and of small 

 extent. Commencing with the mowSt northern. Flattery Bank has an area 

 of about 1,100 square miles, the least Avater, 27 ftithoms, being found at 

 its southeastern extremity, 11 miles W. by N. (magnetic) from Cape 

 Flattery light-house. Halibut and other species of fish have been 

 taken from this bank in large numbers for many years. The area over 

 which they are found in greatest abundance is about 35 square miles, 

 on an exceedingly rough, rocky bottom, near the southeast end. A 

 small bank lies W. by S. (magnetic), 23 miles from Toke Point light- 

 house, covering an area of 110 square miles, with a least depth 

 of 42 fatlnmis, sand, mud, and rocky patches, over which the depths 

 vaiy to the extent of a few fathoms. Another small bank or rocky 

 patch lies SSW. ^ W. (magnetic), 19 miles from Yaquina light- 

 house. It covers an area of about 40 square miles, the least water 

 found being 42 fathoms, clay and mud, with rough, rocky patches. 

 Heceta Bank lies SW. ^ W. (magnetic), 35 miles from Heceta Bead, and 

 covers an area of about GOO square miles. The least water, 41 fathoms, 

 is found near its southern end, over a rough, rocky bottom. 



The following appliances were used by the Albatross for taking fish, 

 viz : Seines, gill nets, beam trawls, trawl lines, and hand lines from the 

 vessel and from small boats. The grains and harpoon were used also, 

 and the subnuirine electric light was utilized in collecting minute forms. 

 This was effective in attracting mackerel off the Revillagigedo Islands 

 and in the Gulf of California. 



Halibut were plentiful on Flattery liank, and scattering specimens 

 were taken off' Flattery Rocks, Tillamook Rock, and on Heceta Bank. 

 The various si)ecies of rock-cod were found generally along the coast, 

 as well as on the banks. Flounders were found everywhere ; most plen- 

 tifully, however, between 50 and 100 fathoms. The plateau before men- 

 tioned is particularly rich in flatfish, and will be the favorite ground 

 for the beam trawl when that method is introduced. Bight species of 

 edible flounders, including the delicious deei)-sea sole, were taken on 

 this plateau. Cultus-cod were on all the banks and on Orford Reef; 

 black-cod were in the deeper waters, and half-grown s])e(*imens, with 

 ling, or Pacific whiting, were found in moderate depths. Large red 



