INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 255 
was not determined, but may be described as rusty-brown in color, from 
6 to 18 inches in diameter, and with long, slender tentacles well pro- 
vided with stinging cells. They inhabit an intermediate zone not far 
from the bottom, and their numbers increase with the advance of the 
season, until they become a great nuisance to the fishermen. Star- 
fishes are abundant both in numbers and species. Sponges, sea- 
urchins, various species of crustaceans, shells, and other invertebrates, 
including many forms of hydroids, are generally found in large num- 
bers. 
The principal feature of the many hauls on Baird Bank was the great 
abundance of starfishes, of at least a dozen species, oue large variety 
predominating. They composed the bulk of nearly every haul. Sponges, 
sea-urchins, shells, and other invertebrates were found in great num- 
bers, about in the order mentioned as regards abundance. Much of 
Baird Bank is covered with hydroids, which were brought up in matted 
bunches containing many species. Sculpins, small alligator-fishes, 
flounders, and other species occurred in every haul, and an occasional 
large skate would appear among them. Codfish and halibut usually 
avoided the net, yet specimens were taken occasionally. Annelids 
were common in most hauls, and one haul in particular (No. 3287) con- 
tained fully 2 bushels, consisting mainly of one species, which probably 
furnished the chief food of codfish on that part of the bank. A variety 
of small crustaceans and naked mollusks may be added, as they were 
pretty evenly distributed over the bottom. It was observed that rep- 
resentatives of nearly every species found in similar depths on Slime 
Bank were included in each haul. 
To the northward a marked change took place in the bottom fauna, 
ophjurans and astrophytons exceeding all other forms in abundance, 
while large bivalve shells resembling Schizotherus appeared for the 
first time. It will be observed that the bottom differed in character 
from that of Baird Bank, more or less mud entering into its composition. 
In Herendeen Bay, during July and August, the streams were full 
of dogsalmon. Excellent flounders and large edible prawns were taken 
in abundance at the anchorage in Mine Harbor. Later in the season 
dredging was carried to the deeper waters of Bering Sea, north and 
west of Unalaska, with very interesting results. It was new ground 
and most of the material obtained was so unfamiliar as to prevent 
identification. At station No. 3307 (1,105 fathoms), Myctophum (three 
species), Macrurus, Antimora, and several other genera of fishes were 
taken, while among invertebrates there were five species of starfishes, 
aleyonarians, sea-urchins, two species of large prawns, an octopus, ete. 
Increasing the depth to 1,600 fathoms at station No. 3308, there were, 
among fishes, Synaphobranchus, Antimora, Notacanthus, Myctophum, 
Careproctus, etc., and among the invertebrates, sea-anemones, holothu- 
rians, meduse, starfishes, large crabs, crimson prawns, ete. Station 
No. 3311, in 85 fathoms, at the entrance to Captain Harbor, yielded sey- 
eral new fishes and sponges, besides some fine brachiopods and many 
