[93] WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 95 



Sailing from Savanilla on March 22, we arrived at Aspinwall on the 

 25th. Three cL edgings were made on the way. Station 2143, in 155 

 lathoms, on the 23d, and a uew.crustaceau allied to our common lobster 

 wais obtained, since described by Prof. S. I. Smith as Eunephrops Bairdii. 

 During our stay no one was allowed to go on shore, as the city M^as 

 unhealthy. The only collections made were by Mr. Nye, who in one 

 way and another caught twelve or fourteen species of fish and two 

 species of crabs from over the side. 



We sailed from Aspinwall April 2. When 5 or 6 miles from the city, 

 at Station 2145, a haul was made with the dredge in 25 fathoms. The 

 dredge came up partly filled with mud and sand. On being washed 

 out the following things were found : Three specimens of a small crus- 

 tacean related to Hippa, but smaller and much more flattened than the 

 JZippas we have collected on this cruise. They burrow in the mud with 

 some ease, but I think from their actions they live in holes; one sea- 

 urchin, much like Schizaster in appearance, with many dead and broken 

 tests of the same; two species of brittle stars; worms (Eunicidae and 

 Terebellidre) ; moUnsks, many dead and few living. One of the latter 

 is a Yoldia, very slender and delicate. Also a gorgonian coral, which 

 consists of a single white stem, and seems to grow in the mud much 

 like Peunatula. Station 214G, in 34 fathoms, was made the same day 

 with the small beam-trawl, which came up with the net nearly torn 

 from the frame by its rough contact with the bottom. The weight re- 

 maining in the net was considerable. As soon as possible a rope was 

 made fast just above the load, and it was hoisted safely on board. The 

 bulk of the material consisted of sponges and dead fragments of coral, 

 the latter overgrown with bryozoa, and with here and there a living 

 coral. One of the sponges was as large as could be preserved in a 16- 

 gallon tanli. Tliis sponge was somewhat cylindrical in shape, with a 

 deeply-concaved top. The surface was hard and unyielding; below this 

 crust it was quite soft. A very much larger si)eciraen of this sponge 

 was too much broken to save. However, many brittle stars and worms 

 were found hiding in its canals. Good specimens of five or six other 

 sponges were picked out and placed in alcohol. Several specimens of 

 a small Fissurella were found living in a sponge. Prominent among the 

 treasures of this haul were the free crinoi Is. Three specimens of a large 

 species were in excellent condition. The tive rays divide at the disk 

 into two parts. Each part subdivides into three and often four rays, 

 making about forty stont rays rising close to the disk, and or 7 inches 

 in length. Tiie dorsal aspect of the disk, the inner third of the dorsal 

 cirri, and the ends of the pinnae are yellow ; otherwise the aniuuil is a 

 very dark brown, almost black. 



Besides the foregoing, there were two smaller species, one of which 

 we had taken before. The third is highly colored, its rays being varie- 

 gated with red and yellow. Unlike Antedon dentatum these specimens 

 all remained entire after having been placed in alcohol. A little octo- 



