1916.] Townsend, Voyage of the 'Albatross' in 1911. 447 



Oysters. — The oyster of the Gulf of California appears to be more 

 abundant about the mouth of the Yaqui River, near Guaymas, than it is 

 anywhere north of that point. The species is not apparently distinguish- 

 able from Ostrea virginica and has indeed been referred to virginica by some 

 conchologists. 



Algodones Lagoon, just north of the river delta, is a great reservoir of 

 oysters of excellent quality. These oysters have always been used locally 

 and are gathered chiefly by Yaqui Indians for sale at Guaymas. They are 

 shipped to some extent to points in the interior. (Figs. 40, 42.) 



Oysters are found at several points toward the head of the Gulf as at 

 Georges Bay, on the east side and Angeles Bay and at Carmen Island on the 

 west side. 



Abalone. — Several species of the large and valuable " Abalone" (Haliotis) 

 are found along the coast of Lower California and may be quite as abundant 

 as they are along the shores of southern California. 



The abalone is the basis of an important fishery in California where its 

 meat is used for food and the ornamental shell used for jewelry and inlaying 

 material. Most of the abalone meat is dried for export to China. 



During a former visit to Lower California the writer found camps of 

 Chinese fishermen located at San Bartolome Bay and at the San Benito 

 Islands, engaged in gathering abalones. Great quantities of the meats 

 were spread out on the ground and dried in the sun until they were quite 

 hard. The shells were also saved. 



During the voyage of the Albatross we met with no abalone fishermen, 

 but they may have been located at points not visited by the expedition. 

 There can be no doubt as to the abundance of abalones along the northern 

 part of the Peninsula and the outlying islands. 



The value of abalone shell varies according to the species, the green 

 shells being worth from $100 to $150. a ton, while black shells of the best 

 quality are two or three times as valuable. 



Food Fishes. — Lower California has important fishery resources both 

 on the Pacific and Gulf coasts, which are as yet undeveloped. 



The population of the region is quite limited and while there is desultory 

 fishing at all towns and villages, there are no fish markets worthy of the 

 name. The methods of handling the catch are crude. Fresh fish must be 

 sold promptly as ice is not available and there are no fishing boats fitted 

 with wells in which fish can be transported alive. Much of the catch is 

 roughly salted and is uninviting. The introduction of well-smacks, such as 

 those used in Florida and some parts of the West Indies would work a trans- 

 formation in this respect. 



During the different voyages of the 'Albatross' to this region good food 



