INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATEOSS. 237 



great beds of opliiuiiiiis were found, 10 bu.sliels or more having been 

 brought uj) at a haul. Sliell.s, such as Trophon and other forms, were 

 abumlant on the same ground, most of them being occupied by hermit- 

 crabs. A number of large crabs were also taken. Large holothurians 

 and astrophytons were common, and naked mollusks were conspicuous 

 as we deeijened the water. Flounders, sculpins, young i^ollock, alli- 

 gator-fish, and the other small S])ecies were distributed generally over 

 the ground; in fact, the contents of the net varied but little after the 

 first few hauls. 



From the Northwest Cape of Uuimak to Port Moller, including the 

 region called Slime Bank and a portion of Baird Bank, a uniform 

 richuess of life on the bottom was observed. The dei)ths varied from 

 12 to 50 fathoms, with sand, or sand and gravel, bottom. Codfish were 

 abundant, and the variety of fishes obtained exceeded anything seen in 

 localities previously visited. While the great mass of invertebrates re- 

 semble those taken on other grounds in Bristol Bay, special attention 

 was attached to the variety of sponges and the great numbers of me- 

 dusa^. The latter float near the bottom in such masses as to become a 

 serious detriment to the fishermen. Gorgonians of various kinds, and 

 bryozoa were found near the shores. 



There was one exception to the general richness of the fauna in this 

 region, the vicinity of Amak Island being found exceedingly barren. 



The following is a brief summary of the general movements and ope- 

 rations of the ship during the year: 



Total number of days at sea 114 



Total distance run by observation miles . . 12, 963 



Total distance run by log do 13, 236 



Total number of deep-sea soundings 1, 025 



Total number of dredging stations 275 



Total number of deep-sea fishing stations 149 



PERSONNEL. 



The following officers were attached to the vessel at the end of the 

 fiscal year: Lieut. Commander Z. L. Tanner, U. S. N., commanding; 

 Lieut. C. C Calkins, U. S. N., executive officer and navigator; Ensign 

 Marbury Johnston, U. S. N.; Ensign E. W. Eberle, U. S. K; Ensign 

 C. M. McCormick, U. S. N.; Ensign Wm. W. Gilmer, U. S. N.; Passed 

 Assistant Surgeon Jas. E. Gardner, U. S. X. ; Passed Assistant Pay- 

 master Charles S. Williams, U. S. N. ; Passed Assistant Engineer C. R. 

 Eoelker, U. S. ]^. 



The civilian staif was as follows: Prof. Charles H. Gilbert, naturalist 

 in charge; Charles H.Towusend, resident naturalist; A. B. Alexander, 

 fishery expert; N. B. Miller .assistant naturalist; H. C. Fassett, caj)- 

 tain's clerk. 



