MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY, 291 
fathoms), we obtained the first specimens of Phormosoma I had seen 
alive. I was much astonished to find them, fully blown up, hemispheri- 
cal or globular in shape. This was the shape they always took in sub- 
sequent hauls, and on several occasions, when they were obtained from 
comparatively shallow water, near the 100-fathom line, they came up 
fully alive and retained their globular outline. The alcoholic specimens 
I had seen in the “Challenger” collections came up as flat as pocket- 
handkerchiefs, from great depths, and were naturally regarded as flat 
Sea-Urchins, although of course endowed with great mobility of test. 
These Echini, with their globular, flexible tests, recall vividly the 
Perischoechinid;, with which they have also points of resemblance of 
zreat interest in the structure of their ambulacral and interambulacral 
plates. 
In the dredgings taken off the southeastern end of Jamaica we did 
not bring up anything of great importance. From Jamaica we were 
obliged, owing to the strong trades, to keep on toward St. Thomas, 
without either sounding or trawling till off Porto Rico. During the 
winter months the trades blow sufficiently hard to make dredging and 
sounding quite uncomfortable on a vessel of the size of the “ Blake.” 
We had, therefore, no opportunity of adding anything to the hydrog- 
raphy of that part of the Caribbean Sea. 
On arriving at St. Thomas we made a programme for our season's 
work. This we were fortunate enough to carry out to the letter, as far 
as the dredging and sounding were concerned. With the exception of 
the time required for coaling and overhauling the engine at Martinique 
and St. Lucia, not a single day was lost. Although Lieutenant-Com- 
mander Sigsbee, U. S. N., did not command the * Blake," yet the im- 
provements which were made this year in the dredging and sounding 
apparatus were all carried out under his supervision, the vessel having 
been fitted out for sea before he was relieved by Commander J. R. 
Bartlett, U. S. N., who commanded the “ Blake” during this winter. It 
was also my good fortune to find on board the majority of the officers 
with whom I sailed in the winter of 1877 — 78: Lieutenant Sharrer, the 
executive officer, Messrs. Jacobi, Peters, L. P. Sigsbee, and Dr. Nourse. 
Now, as before, I was indebted to their cordial interest and efficient 
assistance, as well as to that of Lieutenant Wallis, Mr. Pemberton, and 
Mr. E. L. Reynolds, who had joined the “Blake” for the first time. 
Wo thus started under the very best auspices. In the use of the im- 
proved machinery, suggested by our former cruise, the experience of the 
old officers saved us from the annoyances which always accompany the 
