INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 267 
it ies within the tropics. The Humboldt current, the one great and 
constant movement of the waters from the southern polar regions into 
the Gulf of Panama, is a cold one, and its volume is so great in com- 
parison with the warmer equatorial counter-current that the latter is 
soon absorbed and the whole mass reduced to a lower temperature than 
in any other oceanic area in the same latitudes. There are no coral 
reefs in the Gulf of Panama or about Malpelo, Cocos, and the Gals- 
pagos Islands; indeed, it is not until we reach Clipperton Island, in 
10° north latitude and 109° west longitude, that the reef-builders find 
congenial temperatures for the prosecution of their work. These low 
temperatures doubtless exert a marked influence on the submarine 
fauna of the region. 
We left Guaymas April 24, ia arrived at San Diego May 1 without 
incident worthy of notice. Taking on board a supply of coal, we sailed 
the next evening for the navy-vard, Mare Island, arriving on the morn- 
ing of the 5th. ; 
The winds, weather, and currents encountered during the cruise may 
be summarized as follows 
Winds southwest to southeast from San Francisco to Santa Barbara 
Islands; light and variable with frequent calms to Acapulco. Light 
variable winds from the latter port to Panama, with the exception of a 
short sharp northeast gale off Tehuantepec; a stiff norther in passing 
the Gulf of Dulce, and a brisk northerly wind from Cape Mala to Panama. 
Light variable winds and frequent calms were experienced in the Gulf 
of Panama, and thence to Cocos Island, Malpego, and the Galapagos. 
The southeast trades were entirely interrupted, the prevailing winds 
being from southwest. There was very little wind among the islands 
of the archipelago or to the northward until we encountered the north- 
east trades in about 5° 00’ N. They were very strong for twenty-four 
hours, then moderate, dying out entirely in 11° 00’ N; thence to Aca- 
pulco, southwest airs prevailing. Along the Mexican coast to Cape 
Corrientes we had light to moderate northwest winds, thence to Guay- 
mas, gentle westerly breezes. From the latter port to Cape San Lucas 
the same winds were found, and thence to San Diego light to moderate 
breezes from the northward and westward. From San Diego to San 
Francisco light southerly airs prevailed. 
The sea was generally smooth during the cruise. 
The weather was hazy and squally from San Francisco to the Santa 
Barbara Islands; mild and pleasant with passing clouds thence to 
Acapulco. There was a daily increase of temperature, but the full effect 
of tropical heat was not felt until the vessel was lying at anchor in the 
harbor. From Acapuleo to Panama it was generally fair, with hazy or 
smoky atmosphere enveloping the land, as usual in the dry season. 
Three or four days of rainy, squally weather were encountered off the 
eulf between 6° 00/ and 7° 00/ N. latitude the latter part of February; 
thence to Cocos, Malpelo, and Panama the weather was invariably 
