606 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [2 J 



reason to believe that the yet undetected winter abode of the fish men- 

 tioned may be found to be in that vicinity. 



If encountered, you will note the comparative number of the fish, their 

 character and peculiarities ; and also determine whether they carry on 

 the operations of spawning, and, if so, under what circumstances. You 

 will also note any facts that may present themselves to you as to other 

 species offish, such as sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, drum, and other 

 useful food-fishes known on the coast of the United States or peculiar 

 to those waters ; and will secure specimens of the various kinds for the 

 purpose of more critical examination on the return of the vessel to 

 Washington. 



As in previous cruises, you will make collections by trawl, dredge, or 

 otherwise, of the marine animals inhabiting the waters, whether verte- 

 brate or invertebrate, and will gather as many data as you can respect 

 iug their relationship to each other and to their physical surroundings. 



The Navy Department having expressed a desire to have a series of 

 soundings made in the Bahama seas for the purpose of extending our 

 hydrographical knowledge, you are authorized to do what you can in 

 this connection without endangering the safety of the men or the ves- 

 sel under your command. It is understood that the extra expense of 

 any work done in behalf of the Navy Department is to be defrayed by 

 a supply of coal not to exceed 200 tons for the trip ; and for this the 

 Department has authorized you to call upon the coal depots at Key 

 West or Pensacola. 



You will give the scientific corps accompanying the vessel all possible 

 facilities in carrying out their investigations, allowing them such op- 

 portunities for visiting the shores and bringing them on board again as 

 may best aid in their work. Mr. James E. Benedict, as heretofore, 

 will act as chief of the scientific party, aided by Thomas Lee and Wil- 

 lard Nye, jr. 



Bespectfully, 



SPENCEK E. BAIED, 



Commissioner. 



Lieut-Commander Z. L. Tannek, 



Commanding Steamer Albatross, Navy- Yard, City. 



U. S. Commission of Eish and Fisheries, 



Washington, 1). C, February 2, 1886. 



Dear Sir : In continuation of my original detail of Messrs. Lee and 

 Nye as assistants to Mr. Benedict in the natural history work of the 

 Albatross during her coming cruise, I have taken advantage of the iie- 

 turn from California and the Arctic Ocean of Mr. Charles H. Town- 

 send, of the Eish Commission, aud arranged to have him accompany 

 the vessel on the Bahama trip. He is a gentleman of most excellent 

 qualifications, ami I have no doubt you will find him a pleasant addi- 

 tion to the scientific corps. 



