. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 105 
are sufficient for all immediate considerations in connection with fishery 
matters. The distance of the 100-fathom curve from shore varies in 
different places from 7 to 40 miles, averaging broadest at the north, 
aud becoming reduced to from 7 to 9 miles off Cape Orford, Trinidad 
Head, and Cape Mendocino. The superficial area of the submerged 
platform within this depth is computed at 3,700 square miles for the 
outer coast of Washington, 4,750 square miles for the coast of Oregon, 
and 1,160 square miles for the coast of California north of Cape Men- 
docino, a total of 9,610 square miles. -, 
The soundings off Cape Flattery are irregular and suggest the exist- 
ence of submarine ridges trending parallel with the coast. A semi- 
cireular depression, with depths of 100 to nearly 200 fathoms, was found 
between Cape Flattery and Flattery Rocks, at a distance of about 10 
miles from shore. From the latter place to Yaquina Head the depths 
increased regularly toward the sea, except upon the rocky bank off 
Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay, where elevations -of a few fathoms 
occur. A triangular platform having depths under 100 fathoms lies 
between Yaquina Head and Umpqua River, Heceta Bank being located 
upon its southwestern extremity. Thence to Cape Mendocino the sound- 
ings are regular. 
Distinct fishing-grounds in this region are few in number and of 
small extent, the principal ones being the following: Flattery Bank has 
an area of about 1,100 square miles, with a least depth of 27 fathoms. 
- Halibut and other fishes have been taken upon it in considerable 
numbers for some years past. The former species occurs in greatest 
abundance on a very rough, rocky bottom, having an extent of about 
35 square miles near the southeastern end of the main bank. A small 
bank covering about 110 square miles and with a least depth of 42 
fathoms lies 23 miles W. by 8. (magnetic) from Toke Point light-house, 
Willapa Bay. The bottom consists of sand and mud with rocky patches. 
Another bank having an area of only about 40 square miles, with the 
same minimum depth as the preceding, and with a bottom of clay, mud, 
and rock, is located 19 miles SSW. 4 W. from Yaquina light-house. 
Heceta Bank, the largest fishing-ground south of Cape Flattery on this 
_ part of the coast, is situated 35 miles SW. 4 W. from Heceta Head, 
_ Oregon, and has an area of about.600 square miles. The least depth, 41 
_ fathoms, has been found near its southern end, where the bottom is 
— rocky and rough. 
Only occasional specimens of halibut were taken off Flattery Rocks 
; and Tillamook Rock and on Heceta Bank. Several species of rock-cod 
_ were generally distributed along the coast, as well as on the banks, 
and flounders were found everywhere, being especially abundant in 
_ depths of 50 to 100 fathoms. The flat surface of the plateati is partic- 
_ ularly rich in the latter group of fishes, and is destined to become a 
fe favorite ground for the beam trawl when that method of fishing is intro- 
~ duced. Cultus-cod occur on all the banks and on Orford Reef, while 
