[0] WORK OF FISH COMMISSION STEAMER ALBATROSS. 125 



ill latitude 40° 05' 25" N., longitude 70° 28' W., iu 90 fathoms of water, 

 with instructions to set the trawl line north and south, which would 

 bring the southern end in something over 100 fathoms. In the mean 

 time we steamed a few miles to the southward and commenced dredging 

 on our old ground, where we recognized the endless variety of forms 

 which we had taken in former years. At 10.30 a. m. we took the fish- 

 ermen on board and hoisted the dinghy. They had taken large num- 

 bers of dogfish, hake, skate, &c., but no tilefish. Dredging was con- 

 tinued for a while longer in this locality and then Ave ran to the south- 

 ward and westward, finally casting the lead in 1,168 fathoms, latitude 

 39° 42' N. longitude 70^ 47' W. A set of serial temperatures and water 

 specimens from various depths was taken, and finally the dredge and 

 tangles were put over. They came up about midnight filled with a 

 compact mass of gray ooze and a most tenacious miul or clay which 

 proved to be very rich in foraminifera, about three quarts having 

 been procured from it. The water specimens were carefully i^reserved 

 for future examination. The combinatioii of incandescent and arc lights 

 was brought into use illuminating the deck and surroundings so iier- 

 fectly that work was carried on almost as well as iu daytime. 



As soon as the dredge was up, we steamed to the southward and 

 westward again, and at 6.20 a. m. the following day cast the trawl in 

 latitude 39° 29' 45" N., longitude 71° 43' W., depth 5S8 fathoms. This 

 was a very successful haul, bringing uj) great numbers of large red crabs 

 and several fish whibh were not recognized by us. We attempted to 

 keep some of the former alive in a large tub of water, but they all died 

 within twenty-four hours. After the trawl came up we stood to the 

 westward toward the 145-fathom hole of the Coast Surv-ey charts. Oc- 

 casional casts of the lead were taken in depths of from 801 to 363 fathoms 

 in the hole. We then stood to the southward about two and a half 

 miles and set the trawl line in 74 fathoms, latitude 39'^ 29' N., longitude 

 72° 19' 55" W., and while the fishermen were away we cast the trawl 

 twice, taking several varieties of fivsh, star-fish and other forms found in 

 that depth. 



After taking up the line, the dinghy returued to the ship with large 

 num bers of dogfish, hake, skate, and two kingfish but no tilefish. We 

 returned to the hole above mentioned after hoisting the boat and cast 

 the lead in 379 fathoms, took a set of serial temperatures, which are 

 worthy of notice, the alternating cold and warm strata showing a most 

 peculiar condition of currents, which may perhaps furnish a clew to the 

 formation of the " hole." A specimen of bottom water was taken also 

 for future examination. The beam trawl was lowered and an interest- 

 ing haul anticipated, but the light net was not strong enough to bring- 

 up the load of mud collected and was torn from the frame. 



I am not fully satisfied with our hurried examination of the inter- 

 esting spot, and trust that we may have an opportunity at some future 

 time to make a more thorough exploration. 



