INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 207 



is safe to assume that we passed in the immediate vicinity of large 

 numbers which were not seen, and that where we .saw one there were 

 others near by. 



Very few were seen within 10 miles of the Pribilofs, except close to 

 land in the vicinity of the rookeries and on the direct route between 

 the islands. Even there an average of only four were observed each 

 trip, yet many thousands are constantly traversing the region day and 

 night through the entire season; in fact, the waters surrounding the 

 islands are, of all areas in .Bering Sea, the most frequently traveled by 

 the feeding portion of the herd. 



Seals were seen in varying numbers on 11 of the 13 radii, exclusive 

 of those encountered near the rookeries. 



On line I, 200 miles NE. by E. (mag.) of St. Paul Island. 



On line in, 40 to 70 miles N. by E. (mag.) of St. Paul Island. 



On line IV, 25 miles X. by \V. (mag.) of St. Paul Island. 



On liue v, 40 to 200 miles NW. by W. (mag. ) of St. Paul Island. 



On line vi, 50 to 110 miles west (mag.) of St. Paul Island. 



On line vii, 120 miles WSW. (mag.) of St. George Island. 



On liue Vin, 140 to 200 miles S\V. (mag.) of St. George Island. 



On lino ix, 85 to 130 miles SSW. (mag.) of St. George Islaud. 



Ou line X, 25 to ISO miles S. § E. (man.) of St. George Island. 



Ou line xi, 40 to 60 miles SE. by S. (mag.) of St. George Island. 



On line xin, 12 miles north (mag.) of St. George Island. 



The 100-fathom curve from the 170th to the 174th meridian is a 

 favorite feeding-ground, where scattered seals were frequently observed 

 from the decks of the vessel, a sure indication that it would have been 

 a proline hunting-ground had we hove to and sent out boats. Next 

 to this region, the largest numbers were observed near the northern 

 extremity of radial No. v, and it soon became evident that the August 

 feeding grounds were to the westward of the meridian of the Pribilof 

 Islands. Earlier in the season they would doubtless have been found 

 in greater numbers east of that meridian, where their food, composed 

 largely of codfish, would still abound in the shoaler waters of eastern 

 Bering Sea. 



Soundings. — Depths inside of the 100-fathom curve were found to be 

 remarkably regular, shoaling gradually where land was approached. 

 Oil' the Kuskokwim, and thence to Nunivak, shoal water extends 

 farther from land than in any portion of Bering Sea, while off the 

 Aleutian Archipelago deep water frequently approaches very near to 

 the coast line. 



Depths of 2,000 fathoms or more are found in central Bering Sea, the 

 eastern part having less than 100 fathoms. The western section is still 

 unexplored. The 100-fathom curve lies on the summit of a steep, 

 irregular bank, extending from the vicinity of the Northwest Cape of 

 I'niinak in a YVNW. (mag.) direction to the meridian of St. George, 

 approaching within 18 miles of the island; thence, about W. by S. 

 (mag.), for 140 miles to the meridian of 173° 25' W., where it turns 

 abruptly to N\V. by N. (mag.) for 110 miles, then WSW. (mag.) along 



