I 



[5] WORK OF STEATVIER ALBATROSS. 7 



In returuing by way of Cape San Antonio it will be well to nuike a 

 run into the Gulf of Mexico and spend a short time in iiKikini;' sound- 

 in jis and dredgings therein, for the purjjone of obtaining a general idea 

 of tlie natural history and the fisheries of the Gulf, pieliininary to a 

 more lengthened visit to be made hereafter. 



In connection with the work of soundings you will take occasional 

 hauls of the dredge and trawl, and i)reserve carefully such numbers of 

 specimens as the naturalists may recommend. 



In addition to the purely physical work asked for by the Navy De- 

 partment, or constituting a part of the general plan of research of the 

 steamer, you are instructed to do what is in your power towards obtain- 

 ing a knowledge of the natural history of the shores and waters visited; 

 giving such facilities to those connected with this department as may 

 be in accordance with the best interests of the expedition. 



It is considered particularly important to secure a fair representation 

 of the shore fanna of the Caribbean Sea and its surroundings, as there 

 is much to be learned in regard to areal distribution of the various 

 species of animals and plants. 



Where practicable, a small boat-dredge should be nsed from the 

 launch, as likely to furnish' many shallow-water species of interest to 

 science. 



An important branch of research consists in the investigation of the 

 parasites of the larger fish, such as sharks, swordfish, &c. These 

 should, as far as possible, be secured and carefully overhauled for this 

 object. The jaws and teeth of the larger sharks should also be pre- 

 served after having been properly identified. 



In the department of marine birds, there is a large field for research, 

 there being many species of gulls, i^etrels, herons, cormorants, gannets, 

 &c., of which but little is known. 



Eeptiles, freshwater fishes, and the various species of mammals should 

 also be secured. 



Attention is invited to the study of the cetaceans; and, if practicable, 

 drawings and photograx^hs should be taken and the crania i)roperly 

 preserved. 



Whenever an opportunity presents itself of obtaining aboriginal 

 relics, in the way of articles of stone, pottery, &c., care should be taken 

 to secure them. Illustrations of the handiwork of the modern tribes of 

 the coast, especially such as relate to their methods of hunting and fish- 

 ing, should also be gathered. 



Fossil remains of any kind, minerals, specimens of rock, &c., are very 

 desirable. 



I would advise that whenever a convenient opportunity occurs, the 

 dried specimens, such as skins of birds and mammals, jaws of lish, &c., 

 be transmitted to Washington, so as to relieve the store-rooms of the 

 steamer. Such objects should be addressed to the " Smithsonian In- 

 stitution, Washington, D. C," and, as far as possible, seut by way of New 

 York, in which case they should be marked "Care of ColJectcn- of Cus- 

 toms,-' who should be advised of the same. 



A formal statement of the fact and mode of shipment should always 

 accompany each sending. 

 Very respectfully, 



SPENCER F. BAIKD, 



Commissioner. 



Captain Tanner, 



U. IS. Steamer Albatross, Baltimore^ Md. 



