206 



REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



[90] 



The water to be preserved for analysis is brought up in the Sigsbee 

 water-cup from various depths varying from a few fathoms to 2,747 

 falboms, the greatest depth from whi(3h a specimen has yet been taken 

 on board. As soon as the cup arrives at the surface its contents are 

 poured into water- specimen bottles, with ground-glass stoppers, and 

 over these split skin is carefully tied. Before the specimen bottles are 

 used they are carefully washed out with distilled water. Many speci- 

 mens of sea- water from varying depths and from various localities are 

 examined on board in order to note the changes in specific gravity of 

 the water under different conditions. The following scheme illustrates 

 the method of recording the examinations : 



Date. 



station. 



Depth. 



Temperature 



of the water 



at this depth. 



Temperature 

 of the air. 



Temperature 

 of specimen 

 at time spe- 

 cific gravity 

 was taken. 



Specific 

 gravity. 



Eeduoedto60°. 



At frequent intervals copies of the results of these examinations are 

 forwarded to the Fish Commission laboratories. Hilgard's salinometer 

 is the instrument used for determining the specific gravity. On the 

 starboard side of the lower laboratory, aft, is a dark-room for the use of 

 the photographer. On the port side, corresponding to this position, is 

 a large sink supplied with running water, where specimens can be 

 washed. Forward of the sink and dark-room are two long tables, 

 where specimens can be sorted, dissected, &c. ; the table on the port 

 side, used by the ichthyologist, is of a convenient height for work 

 while standing, that on the starboard side while seated. Each table 

 is supplied with drawers, where instruments, towels, &c., can be 

 kept. The forward bulkhead of lower laboratory is filled with com- 

 partment drawers for holding natural history specimen bottles. Be- 

 low these drawers are spaces for eight boxes, which contain copper 

 alcohol tanks, which hold 16 gallons. Laboratory store-room is just 

 below. In this are kept large quantities of alcohol in tanks, natu- 

 ral history specimens ready for shipment, a large supply of specimen 

 bottles ready for use, fishing-seines, scoop-nets, harpoons, &c. Forward 

 of upper laboratory is the chart-room and pilot-house. On each side of 

 deck-house is a gangway 6 feet wide. Forward of the pilot-house is the 

 dredging engine, and beyond this a clear deck space in which is the 

 berth-deck hatch. The forecastle is a high one, being 6 feet between 

 decks. Under the forecastle on starboard side are closets for officers 

 and bath-room for crew. On port side are closets for crew and lamp- 

 room. The forecastle affords berths for fourteen of the crew. In cold 

 and stormy weather at night a curtain is lowered from forecastle to 

 main deck. Just below the berth-deck and forward of the forehold is a 

 cold-room and ice-house. 



