264 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
peratures were frequently obtained, the beam trawl and surface nets 
used at all the stations, and the Tanner net was frequently operated at 
intermediate depths, after getting well clear of the land, to ascertain 
the distribution of pelagic fauna. 
The surface life was greater than we had found in the Gulf of Pan- 
ama, and the results of the deep-sea hauls of the trawl were fairly good, 
but the southern approach to the Galapagos, where we anticipated a 
rich field, proved to be practically barren and did not compare favorably 
even with the northeast approach. The greatest depth, 1,832 fathoms, 
was found about 160 miles from the South American coast; thence to 
the vicinity of the islands it gradually decreased. 
Galapagos Islands.—The highlands of Chatham Island were sighted 
at daylight, March 28, and after spending most of the day in running 
a line of dredging along its southern approach, we stood into Wreck 
Bay and anchored at 5:30 p.m. Sefior Manuel A. Cobos came on 
board soon after our arrival to extend the hospitalities of the Hacienda 
del Progreso, and Mr. Townsend returned with him that evening on a 
collecting trip. Prof. Agassiz, several officers, and myself went to the 
plantation next day, and were met and entertained by the proprietor, 
Senor Manuel J. Cobos. The rains had been unusually heavy during 
the season, and the fine carriage road from the port to the hacienda, 
which we admired so much three years ago, was a complete wreck. 
At the time of our former visit cattle were the principal source of 
revenue, but that is changed now. A plant of modern sugar machin- 
ery has been installed, and the growing of cane and the manufacture 
of sugar is prosecuted with the greatest energy. The natural ad- 
vantages of soil and climate, cheapness of labor, and the privileges of 
the McKinley bill insure large returns from this industry. The young 
cotfee plantation, mentioned in my report of 1888, bids fair to realize 
the anticipations of the proprietor. I tested some of the product and 
found it excellent. 
The settlement on Chatham Island was formerly a penal colony, the 
convicts performing all the labor on the plantation. This was the case 
at the time of our visit in 1888, but is no longer so, the criminals havy- 
ing been removed and free labor employed, greatly to the advantage 
of the estate. Supplies were procured from the hacienda and a fine 
young bullock was presented to the ship by Sefor Cobos. The natu- 
ralists increased their list of specimens somewhat, besides procuring 
many duplicates. The weather was hot and rainy at Chatham Island, 
and during showers, when skylights, ports, ete., were closed, the interior 
of the vessel was as hot as an oven. 
‘Leaving Wreck Bay at 10:25 a. m., March 31, we steamed to Charles 
Island direct, anchoring in Blackbeach Road at 8 p. m. The crew 
were given liberty the next day, when many of them went to the old 
plantation, where fruit was found in abwndance, several bushels of 
oranges, limes, alligator pears, etc., being brought on board. The nat- 
