[9] WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 613 



sibly be anywhere else in the world. Land is cheap, government lands 

 selling at five shillings sterling per acre. There is no tax on land, so 

 with ordinary industry a home may easily be kept. If there was a 

 sure market and quick transportation for fruit and vegetables produc- 

 tion would be stimulated, for each owner would strive to keep his 

 holding at its best. The day may come when, with the waters of the 

 Bahamas used as a winter cruising-ground by American yachtsmen, 

 and Nassau the headquarters and winter resort it should be, there will 

 be the desired increased demand for out-island produce and an incentive 

 given to more careful and thorough work." 



At 5.50 a. m., March 8, we got under way and ran a line of soundings 

 to Conception Island, the greatest depth being 1,017 fathoms. Arriving 

 off the western side of the island about 11 a. m. the naturalists went 

 on shore for a few hours. We, in the mean time, steamed several miles 

 off shore and lowered the trawl in 1,169 fathoms, white coral ooze 

 bottom. After dragging a few minutes it fouled on one of the project- 

 ing coral rocks which crop up at intervals throughout the Bahamas, 

 even in the deepest water. We succeeded in getting the trawl on board, 

 with the net somewhat torn, after several hours' effort, only to find a 

 few shrimp, a small octopus, and a few minute forms in the bag. Our 

 experience has been the same on all coral sand or ooze bottoms, which 

 seem to be almost barren of life. 



The naturalists returned at 2.45 p. m. with a large number of birds 

 and, the trawl being up, a few minutes later we started ahead, running 

 a line of soundings to Columbus Point, Cat Island, the greatest depth 

 being 845 fathoms, developing a connecting ridge between the islands. 



We sounded in 22 fathoms on the reef off Columbus Point about 

 dusk, and a few minutes later slowed down and put over the large sur- 

 face tow-net. Very little life was found. Daring the night a line of 

 soundings was carried to Watling's Island, developing a depth of 2,482 

 fathoms. At daylight on the morning of the 9th we anchored off 

 Cockburn Town, took Messrs. Lee and Nye on board, and returned to 

 Bum Cay, anchoring in St. George's Bay at 4.40 p. m. We were under 

 way at 6.15 a. m. on the 10th, and ran a line of soundings to Cape Sta. 

 Maria, north end of Long Island; thence to the SW. end of Cat 

 Island, where we arrived at 5.27 p. m. and anchored for the night at 

 Hawk's Nest anchorage. The greatest depth found during the day was 

 1,398 fathoms, between Bum Cay and Long Island, and 1,056 fathoms 

 between the latter and Cat Island. 



Hawk's Nest anchorage is safe and convenient, with northerly or east- 

 erly winds. We anchored in 7 fathoms, white sand bottom, the build- 

 ings on Hawk's Nest hill bearing ENE., with the western extremity of 

 the reef about 300 yards distant. 



The naturalists landed at daylight the following morning and re- 

 turned at 10.30 a. m., when we got under way and ran a line of sound- 

 ings across Exuma Sound to the NW. end of Exuma Island, thence to 

 the south end of Eleuthera Island, arriving and anchoring at Miller's 



