THE U. S. FISHERIES STEAMER ALBATROSS. 5 



tables were laid off from the plotted position on the chart to some 

 object prominent on the chart, whether the object could actuall}^ be 

 seen from the ship or not. Positions may be plotted approximately 

 by means of these bearings more conveniently than by their latitude 

 and longitude, but where exactness is required the latter method 

 should be used. In the case of stations from D.4922 to H. 4883, 

 inclusive, the chart used was found so far from accurate that no 

 bearings observed could be made to plot. These positions are given, 

 therefore, by the actual cross bearings observed, and when a correct 

 chart of this locality is made these stations may be accurately plotted 

 from the bearings given. In a few other cases, where there was no 

 well-defined shore feature from which to measure, cross bearings are 

 given instead of single bearings and distance, in addition to latitude 

 and longitude. All bearings are true unless otherwise indicated. 



The spelling of all geographic names in these tables is that found 

 on the charts designated in the column "Chart." There is consider- 

 able variation in this respect in the different issues of charts. 



"Time of day" in the case of soundings indicates the time the 

 plummet struck bottom; in the case of dredgings, the time at which 

 the apparatus began to tow on the bottom; in the case of interme- 

 diate nets, the time at which the nets started to tow at the depth 

 indicated; in the case of surface hauls, the time at which they were 

 lowered into the water and began to be towed or the current to pass 

 tlu-ough them. 



"Depth" (in fathoms) is the depth obtained by the sounding 

 when a sounding was made. In cases where no sounding was made 

 the depth is estimated from the chart, unless the station immediately 

 follows another, in which case the depth obtained at the preceding 

 station is given. The least and greatest depths are given when the 

 operation was of long duration. 



"Temperatures." The air temperatures are taken from the ship's 

 log for the hour nearest the hour entered in the time column; the 

 same is true of the surface temperatures where the towing commenced 

 near the hour mark, but in other cases the surface temperature was 

 taken at the time given. The bottom temperature was taken at the 

 time of sounding. 



The "surface density" was in all cases reduced to 15° Centigrade. 



In the double column "Trial" is indicated the depth at which 

 apparatus was worked, as well as the duration of operation. In the 

 case of bottom apparatus this latter is the time during which it is 

 supposed to be dragging on the bottom, up to the begimiing of 

 reeling in; for intermediate nets the time occupied in towing at the 

 depth shown in the depth column is indicated by the first quantitj", 

 the time occupied in hoisting by the second; for surface nets the 

 time indicated is the time actually towed at the surface. 



