INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATEOSS. 267 



it lies within the tropics. The Humboklt current, the one great and 

 constant movement of the waters from the southern pohir regions into 

 the Gulf of Panama, is a cold one, and its volume is so great in com- 

 parison with the warmer equatorial counter-current that the latter is 

 soon absorbed and the whole mass reduced to a lower temperature than 

 iu any other oceanic area in the same latitudes. There are no coral 

 reefs in the Gulf of Panama or about Malpelo, Cocos, and the Gal; - 

 pagos Islands; indeed, it is not until we reach Clipperton Island, in 

 10° north latitude and 109° west longitude, that the reef-builders find 

 congenial temperatures for the i>rosecution of their work. These low 

 temperatures doubtless exert a marked influence on the submarine 

 fauna of the region. 



We left Guaymas April 24, and arrived at San Diego May 1 without 

 incident worthy of notice. Taking on board a supply of coal, we sailed 

 the next evening for the navy yard, Mare Island, arriving on the morn- 

 ing of the 5th. 



The winds, weather, and currents encountered during the cruise may 

 be summarized as follows : 



Winds southwest to southeast from San Francisco to Santa Barbara 

 Islands; light and variable with frequent calms to Acapulco. Light 

 variable winds from the latter port to Panama, with the exception of a 

 short sharp northeast gale off" Tehuantepec; a stiff norther in passing 

 the Gulf of Dulce, and a brisk northerly wind from Cape Mala to Panama. 

 Light variable winds and frequent calms were experienced in the Gulf 

 of Panama, and thence to Cocos Island, Malpego, and the Galapagos. 

 The southeast trades were entirely interrupted, the prevailing winds 

 being from southwest. There was very little wind among the islands 

 of the archipelago or to the northward until we encountered the north- 

 east trades in about 5° 00' N, They were very strong for twenty-four 

 hours, then moderate, dying out entirely in 11° 00' N; thence to Aca- 

 pulco, southwest airs prevailing. Along the Mexican coast to Cape 

 Oorrientes we had light to moderate northwest winds, thence to Guay- 

 mas, gentle westerly breezes. From the latter i)ort to Cape San Lucas 

 the same winds were found, and thence to San ]>iego light to moderate 

 breezes from the northward and westward. From San Diego to San 

 Francisco light southerly airs prevailed. 



The sea was generally smooth during the cruise. 



The weather was hazy and squally from San Francisco to the Santa 

 Barbara Islands; mild and pleasant with passing clouds thence to 

 Acapulco. There was a daily increase of temperature, but the full effect 

 of tropical lieat was not felt until the vessel was lying at anchor in the 

 harbor. From Acapulco to Panama it was generally fair, with hazy or 

 smoky atmosj)here enveloping the land, as usual in the dry season. 

 Three or four days of rainy, squally weather were encountered off the 

 gulf between 6° 00' and 1'^ 00' N. latitude the latter part of February; 

 thence to Cocos, Malpelo, and Panama the weather was invariably 



