256 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



coraiiioii forms. A rare, if uot new, Antcdon was the chief i>rize from 

 station No. 3316, in 300 fathoms. Station No. 3317, in 105 fathoms, oft" 

 Makiishiii Vok-ano, furnished a dozen or more species of oddly shaped 

 sponges and pink cup-corals, while station No. 3319, in 50 fathoms, 

 was remarkable for a quantity of large branching llesh-colored alcyo- 

 naria, of the shape and general appearance of a sea fan. Station No. 

 3321, in 54 fathoms, gave us a remarkable massive red alcyonarian 

 not previously observed. 



After leaving Bering Sea en route for San Francisco, a line of dredg- 

 ings was run along the chain of islands lying oft" the Pacific shores 

 of the Alaska Peninsula, the specimens corresponding generally with 

 those taken in the same region during the season of 1888. The first 

 notable exception was at station No. 3340, in G05 fathoms, muddy bot- 

 tom. In addition to a large number of deep-sea fishes and inverte- 

 brates, there were about 50 specimens of Macrurus^ representing four 

 species, two individuals being of extraordinary size, weighing 14 and 

 19 pounds each. Still farther southward, on September 3, station No. 

 3342 was made with the beam trawl in 1,588 fathoms, gray ooze and 

 coarse sand, oft' the coast of Queen Charlotte Island, and within sight 

 of the high lands. Among the fishes were two species of 3[acrurus, 

 several specimens of Antimora, and others not recognized. Among 

 the invertebrates were an octopus, barnacles, shrimps, sea-anemones, 

 amphipods, starfishes, two species of corals, hydroids, and several 

 beautiful stalked crinoids, which were secured in the best of order. 



INVESTIGATIONS OFF THE WEST COAST OF MEXICO AND CENTRAL 

 AMERICA AND OFF GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, JANUARY TO MAY, 1891. 



Preparations for the cruise. — Prof. Charles H. Gilbert left for the East 

 on September 27 and Passed Assistant Surgeon J. E. Gardner was 

 relieved by Passed Assistant Surgeon N. H. Drake the same day. The 

 specinvens collected during the summer were shipi)ed to Washington 

 on the 29tli. We went to the navy -yard. Mare Island, on the 30th of 

 September and commenced the Avork of repairing and refitting. The 

 long cruise in Bering Sea resulted in unusual wear and tear to the 

 machinery, sails, and rigging. 



Ensign Maibury Johnston was detached from the Albatross Novem- 

 ber 9; Ensign (J. M. INIcCyormick, on the 14th; and Ensign E. W. Eberle, 

 on the 27th. These gentlemen had served three years on board of this 

 vessel, and the Commission is indebted to them for much valuable 

 service. I^hisign .rolinston is des(;rving of special mention. He was 

 ordered as watch officer, but acted as executive and navigator about 

 a year, performing tho, duties in a very satisfactory manner. He made 

 the surveys of Jlerendeen Bay and the Lower Nushagak and lent 

 material aid in the general corrections to the Bristol Bay charts. 



I was ordered to proceed to Washington to confer with the Commis- 

 sioner regardirig the work of the vessel, aiul left for tlnit purpose on 

 the 20th of October, returning December 11. The repairs were praG- 



