LIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
banks, also exist directly off San Diego, at a distance of about 05 miles; 
tbe former lias been known to navigators for a long time, but the latter 
was first discovered by tbe Albatross. Cortez Bank was found to be 
the most promising fishing- ground south of San Francisco; it has an 
area of 51 square miles with depths less than 50 fathoms, but good fish- 
ing can also be obtained in the slightly deeper water surrounding it on 
all sides. Many varieties of fishes were taken on the lines, the most 
abundant being several species of the rock-cod ( Sebastodes ), fat-heads 
(Trochocopus pulcher ), sea bass ( Serranus clathratus ), and whitefish 
(Caulolatilus princeps). Tanner Bank is separated from Cortez Bank 
by depths of 150 to 250 fathoms, and has a shoal area about 17 square 
miles in extent. The fishes are identical on the two banks. 
Lines of observing stations were run over the entire region, and all 
suitable localities were carefully tested with the fishing apparatus. 
The methods of existing fisheries were also studied, and much infor- 
mation was obtained respecting the habits and distribution of the food- 
fishes. The range of the black-cod or beshow, so abundant on the 
coast of Washington and farther north, was found to extend as far as 
the Santa Barbara Channel, where several specimens were secured by 
means both of hand lines and of the beam trawl. 
GULF ©F CALIFORNIA AND LOWER CALIFORNIA. 
The Albatross left San Diego for the Gulf of California February 26, 
but taking advantage of the opportunity to examine certain reported 
dangers to navigation off the coast of Lower California, the cruise was 
not made direct. A line of soundings was carried first to the island of 
Guadeloupe, and thence to the Alijos Rocks, in latitude 24° 58' N., 
longitude 115° 52' 36" W., and to the Revillagigedo group, of which 
Clarion, Socorro, and San Benedicto islands were visited in the order 
named. Besides obtaining very satisfactory hydrographic results, 
important collections of fishes and other marine animals were made. 
The investigations in the Gulf, beginning at La Paz, were carried 
northward to the mouth of the Colorado River, touching at San Josef 
Island, Carmen Island, Conception Bay, Guaymas, and other places. 
On the return trip the steamer again stopped at Guaymas and La Paz. 
The shallow waters at the mouth of the Colorado River were found to 
be very barren of life, and the conditions generally seemed unfavorable 
to the stocking of that river with the shad or other anadromous species. 
While in the neighborhood of Guaymas an examination was made of 
the extensive oyster beds at the mouth of the Yaqui River. Oysters 
from this locality were formerly sent to the San Francisco market, and 
their introduction for stocking purposes into the bays of southern Cali- 
fornia has been suggested. The tropical conditions which seem neces- 
sary to their welfare, however, precludes their being used successfully 
for that purpose. 
