26fi REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Having lilled up with coal and taken on board supplies, we sailed, 

 April 15, for a cruise alonj;' the Mexican coast and Gulf of California. 

 The surface tow net and the Tanner net were used fre<|uently, and a 

 line of dredging stations was commenced to the southward of the Tres 

 Marias, in 2,022 tathoms, where serial temperatures were taken. The 

 trawl was lowered a few hours later, in VtHi fathoms, and the line con- 

 tinued to SO fathoms near the land. Passing the islands the de])ths 

 increased, the sounding cups showing green mud or black sand, but 

 there was snfficient clay in it to prevent its washing freely through the 

 meshes of the trawl net, thus resulting in the loss of gear from over- 

 loading. Frequent patches of shale rock were also encountered, which 

 made the use of the trawl still more difficult. The currents of the gulf 

 seem to extend to the bottom, even in depths exceeding 1,000 fathoms, 

 scouring out the mud and ooze, and occasionally exposing the native 

 rock. Sticks, leaves, and other kinds of vegetable matter were marked 

 features of the hauls on the eastern side of the gulf as well as in the 

 Pacific, but were not brought up in as great quantities. The bottom 

 fauna from the Tres Marias to Guaymas was unexpectedly meager; 

 indeed, it w^as a great disai)pointment to us, for we had consoled our- 

 selves for the barren grcuind otf Acai)ulco in anticii)ation of rich tields 

 in the gulf. 



The work of the cruise ended with our arrival at Guaymas on the 

 afternoon of Ajjril 23, where Prof. Agassiz left us to return to the 

 Atlantic coast by rail. The exph)rations during the cruise were con- 

 ducted under his general direction, and his great knowledge and exi>e- 

 rience were apparent in all our operations. He was always ready in a 

 most genial and kindly way to impart information, which was given so 

 plainly that it was always comprehended, even by laymen. We took 

 leave of him with much regret, and it is our fond hoi)e that some time 

 in the near future we may again have his active cooperation in deep- 

 sea investigation. 



Scientific results of the cruise. — The scientific report of the expedition 

 will be made by Prof, Agassiz, yet it may not be out of place to state 

 in a general way some of the results obtained. The fauna of the region 

 examined was not as rich as in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Carib- 

 bean Sea. r>ecaye<l \ egetable matter was found to a greater or less 

 extent on most of the bottom exan»ined. Foraniinifera was, as a rule, 

 very sparsely represented in the bottom soil, and was found in consid- 

 erable quantities at but lew stations. Many forms were identi(;al with 

 those of tin; Caribbean Sea, and others were closely allied to them. 

 The repeated use of the Tanner net, remote from land, showed 

 that the surface life extended down about 300 fathoms, the bottom 

 life reacliing up between 100 and 200 fatlioms, and the intermediate 

 space being practically barren. Oji one occasion in the Gulf of Cali- 

 fornia, in the vicinity of laud, life was found from surface to bottom. 

 The ocean temperatures of the legion were very low, considering that 



