INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 225 
Shoal-water species were regularly distributed, flounders being the 
principal feature of every haul. Small specimens of deep-sea sole, 
Microstomus pacificus, were found in 50 fathoms and less, probably the 
young of the species so plentiful in greater depths, and described by 
Lockington from immature specimens taken in shoal water. The long- 
finned sole, Glyptocephalus zachirus, was found from the shore to 100 
fathoms, the finest specimens in the latter depth. These two flounders 
approach nearest in edible qualities to the European sole of any fish. 
on the Pacific coast. The flesh of mature specimens is white, gelatin- 
ous, and exceedingly delicate in flavor. From experiments made on 
board this vessel, they were found, when kept on ice, to improve until 
the fourth day, but deteriorated after the seventh. They can be taken 
only with the beam trawl, or other form of drag net. 
Invertebrates found along shore and to the 100-fathom line differ 
from those of corresponding depths on the Oregon and Washington 
coasts. The edible red prawns, so abundant north, entirely disappear 
in this region, and shrimps take their place toa limited extent. Large 
prawns, 6 or 8 inches in length, were obtained occasionally in depths 
of 50 fathoms or more. 
The common edible crab, Cancer magister, is abundant, and grows 
larger than it does farther north. Smaller species, Cancer antenna- 
rius and Cancer productus, both ed 'e, common along the shores, were 
not met with north of the California boundary. Very few sea-urchins 
were taken in shoal water. Cup corals, as well as hydrocoralline, 
were met with on rocky or stony bottoms. Several small species of 
alcyonarians and comatule were abundant. Ophiurans and astrophy- 
tons were found, but not in as great numbers or variety of species 
as in more northern waters. Gorgonian corals are common close in 
shore. Starfishes appear to be much the same as those found on the 
Oregon coast. Holothurians are numerous and are represented by a 
variety of species; squids and octopi are common and usually very 
small. Shells were a’»aost invariably small, and of obscure species; 
several species of brachiopods were dredged, some of them very beau- 
tiful. Sponges are rather scarce, ascidians and bryozoans common, 
and annelids abundant and varied in species. 
The invertebrates found between 100 and 600 fathoms were greater 
in number and in variety of species than in the shoaler waters above 
described. Sea-urchins were particularly abundant, and a large pro- 
portion of the average haul was composed of them, either a species of 
Schizaster not yet named, or a large pinkish urchin. Large and small 
specimens were found together, but the species were seldom mixed. 
Many large aleyonarian corals resembling Verrillia were taken in 
moderate depths, and a very few rare pennatulas and umbellulas came 
from the deeper hauls. Another rare polyp, Anthomastus, of which 
we had previously taken. but a single specimen, was found in 550 fath- 
oms, Deep-water shells were not abundant, and ophiurans were sur- 
H. Mis. 113-———15 
