256 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
common forms. A rare, if not new, Antedon was the chief prize from 
station No. 3316, in 309 fathoms. Station No, 3317, in 165 fathoms, off 
Makushin Volcano, furnished a dozen or more species of oddly shaped 
sponges and pink cup-corals, while station No. 3319, in 59 fathoms, 
was remarkable for a quantity of large branching flesh-colored aleyo- 
naria, of the shape and general appearance of a sea fan. Station No. 
3321, in 54 fathoms, gave us a remarkable massive red alcyonarian 
not previously observed. 
After leaving Bering Sea en route for San Francisco, a line of dredg- 
ings was run along the chain of islands lying off the Pacifie shores 
of the Alaska Peninsula, the specimens corresponding generally with 
those taken in the same region during the season of 1888. The first 
notable exception was at station No. 3340, in 695 fathoms, muddy bot- 
tom. In addition to a large number of deep-sea fishes and inverte- 
brates, there were about 50 specimens of Macrurus, representing four 
species, two individuals being of extraordinary size, weighing 14 and 
19 pounds each. Still farther southward, on September 3, station No. 
3342 was made with the beam trawl in 1,588 fathoms, gray ooze and 
coarse sand, off the coast of Queen Charlotte Island, and within sight 
of the high lands. Among the fishes were two species of Macrurus, 
several specimens of Antimora, and: others not recognized. Among 
the invertebrates were an octopus, barnacles, shrimps, sea-anemones, 
amphipods, starfiskes, two species of corals, hydroids, and several 
beautiful stalked crinoids, which were secured in the best of order. 
INVESTIGATIONS OFF THE WEST COAST OF MEXICO AND CENTRAL 
AMERICA AND OFF GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, JANUARY TO MAY, 1891. 
Preparations for the cruise.—Prof. Charles H. Gilbert left for the East 
on September 27 and Passed Assistant Surgeon J. EK. Gardner was 
relieved by Passed Assistant Surgeon N. H. Drake the same day. The 
specimens collected during the summer were shipped to Washington 
on the 29th. We went to the navy-yard, Mare Island, on the 30th of 
September and commenced the work of repairing and refitting. The 
long cruise in Bering Sea resulted in unusual wear and tear to the 
machinery, sails, and rigging. 
Ensign Marbury Johnston was detached from the Albatross Novem- 
ber 9; Ensign C. M. McCormick, on the 14th; and Ensign E. W. Eberle, 
on the 27th. These gentlemen had served three years on board of this 
vessel, and the Commission is indebted to them for much valuable 
service. Hnsign Johnston is deserving of special mention. He was 
ordered as watch officer, but acted as executive and navigator about 
a year, performing the duties in a very satisfactory manner. He made 
the surveys of Herendeen Bay and the Lower Nushagak and lent 
material aid in the general corrections to the Bristol Bay charts. 
I was ordered to proceed to Washington to confer with the Commis- 
sioner regarding the work of the vessel, and left for that purpose on 
the 20th of October, returning December 11. The repairs were prac- 
