926 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
prisingly scarce; but holothurians were common, a large brilliant-red 
species being the most abundant. 
Crustacea were common, although the variety ‘of species was rather 
limited, and annelids were also plentiful. A large crab, resembling 
Lithodes, and another very-large, flat-legged species were most abun- 
dapvt. Annelids were common and the species quite varied. 
The surface was practically barren of minute life, a few salpxe being 
about all that would be found in the tow net. This absence of surface 
life was due in great measure to the season of the year, Sea birds 
were about the ship constantly, and an occasional school of porpoises 
was seen. Sharks were not plentiful; in fact, there were but two or 
three observed during the season. Whales were very common, and 
were reported nearly every day, sometimes in large numbers. On one 
occasion we steamed slowly into a school that were so busily engaged 
in feeding that they paid little attention to us. Upon investigation it 
was ascertained that they were devouring a small globular jellyfish, 
half an inch in diameter, which could be seen in immense masses from 
3 to 5 fathoms beneath the surface. Thousands of sea birds were hoy- 
ering over or around the busy scene. 
INVESTIGATIONS IN ALASKA WATERS, APRIL TO JUNE, 1890. 
Preparations for the cruise—The vessel was taken into the new 
stone dry-dock at the Mare Island navy-yard on April 16, her bettom 
scraped and painted, repairs made on one of the outboard connections, 
and the old tiller on the rudder blade replaced by a new one. We 
hauled out of the dock on the 28th. The commandant, rear-admiral 
A, Ki. K. Benham, and officers of the various departments in the navy- 
yard gave us every possible facility for making repairs and refitting 
generally, and tools and other appliances required in the shops were 
freely put at our disposal. The assistance rendered made it possible 
to give the vessel and her machinery a thorough overhauling at small 
expense. Ensign William W. Gilmer, U. S. Navy, reported for duty 
on the 30th. 
The Albatross left the navy-yacd May 1, at 11:20 a. m., and anchored 
off Washington street, San Francisco, at 2:10 p.m. The U.S. flagship 
Charleston, Acting Rear-Admiral George Brown; the U.S. S. Marion, 
revenue steamer Bear, and Coast Survey steamer Hassler were lying 
at anchor in the harbor. Prof. Charles H. Gilbert reported as chief 
naturalist. 
San Francisco to Bering Sea.—We left San Francisco at 12:55 p. m., 
May 5, for Bering Sea, via Departure Bay, B. C., where we arrived 
safely at 8:50 p.m. on the 9th. The usual cloudy, misty weather was 
encountered with moderate northerly winds to the Columbia River, and 
southerly breezes thence to Cape Flattery. Whales were seen daily, 
and fur seals were observed off Cape Mendocino, An occasional school 
