1916.] Toumsend, Voyage of the 'Albatross' in 1911. 403 



contains 1S5 species of which the following 15 have been described as new: 



Raja microtrachys Amia guadalupensis 



Urobatis concentricus Girella simplicidens 



Letharchus pacificus Hermosilla robnsta 



Bascanichthys bascanoides Callyodon compressus 

 Fnndnlns parvipinnis, sub sp. brevis Callyodon microps 



Tylosurus pterurus Dactyloscopus cinctus 



Siphostoma exile Lucioblennius lucius 

 Atherinopsis sonorre 



Most of the collection was obtained along the shores and about the 

 islands, the deeper parts of the Gulf being muddy and apparently poor in 

 fish life as shown by previous dredgings by the 'Albatross.' 



The peninsula of Lower California is nearly 800 miles in length, with an 

 average width of 60 or 70 miles. It is a mountainous region, having a 

 central elevation, near the northern end, of over 10,000 feet. 



The climate is almost rainless and the country as a whole is of desert 

 character. Less than a hundred springs and streams have been described 

 and of the latter only five or six flow permanently to the coast. Populated 

 localities are necessarily located with reference to the limited supplies of 

 water. 



Lower California is rich in mineral resources but these remain unde- 

 veloped except in a few localities where sufficient water is obtainable. 

 Agriculture is practiced under the same limitations as mining. The fishery 

 resources are important but have as yet been but little drawn upon. 



Zoologically and botanically the region is of great interest to naturalists. 

 Climatically it belongs to the Sonoran province of the temperate realm, 

 usually described as arid. The fauna of the extreme southern end has many 

 tropical characteristics, while much of the fauna and flora of the northern 

 end is related to southern California. 



The climate of the eastern side of the peninsula is warmer than that of 

 the western side. Observations made on board the Albatross during the 

 cruise along the west coast of the Peninsula from March 1 to 25 and from 

 April 20 to 29, give the mean temperature of the air as 61° Fahr. and of the 

 water at the surface 60°. While cruising in the Gulf of California from 

 March 26 to April 20, the mean temperature of the air was 71° and of the 

 water 68°. 



Narrative. The steamer 'Albatross' left San Francisco at 9.30 A.M., 

 February 23, 1911, under the command of Commander G. H. Burrage, 

 U. S. N., who had instructions from the Bureau of Fisheries to proceed to 

 San Diego and report for work during the months of March and April in 

 the Lower California Region. 



