INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
407 
the mountain about 300 yards back of the beach, nearly rectangular in 
form, the sides being vertical, about 100 feet broad by GO feet in height, 
and the top slightly rounded and covered with grass, ferns, and small 
bushes. Seen from a distance it had the appearance of a huge native 
sod house (barabara), with the roof overgrown with grass. An exten- 
sive valley lay back of the beach, in which were several ponds of fresh or 
brackish water, theirshores being surrounded by a fringe of alder bushes. 
The land was covered by a rank growth of grass and wild flowers. 
Long Beach is a good anchorage, except with winds from S. to SE., 
when a heavy swell rolls in. Better harbors are found on the east side 
of the bay. To make this anchorage, leave Mitrofania and the small 
islands on the port hand, passing midway between them and the main- 
land until well up with the sand beach, then stand io the westward 
and anchor off the rock above mentioned, giving due attention to the 
lead, as the bank is steep. 
The collectors went on shore as soon as the anchor was down, return- 
ing in the evening with several species of birds, fishes, plants, etc. Trout 
were plentiful in the larger ponds, and cod and halibut were taken with 
hand lines from the ship. 
A dense fog prevailed on the morning of the 8th, which detained us 
until 5:25, when, partially clearing, we were able to get under way and 
steam out of the bay. We took a departure at 6:12 from the following 
bearings : NW. extremity of Mitrofania Islands, S. 72° W. ; east ex- 
tremity, S. 6° W. ; outer point on mainland, H. 14° E.; which, plotted 
on Hydrographic Office Chart Ho. 68, placed us in latitude 55° 53 / 00" H., 
and longitude 158° 37' 00" W. We then ran a line of soundings about 
S. 77° E., 43 miles, to Light House Bocks, and at 12:30 p. m. anchored 
in 49 fathoms, 890 yards H. 28° E. from the largest. 
The group consists of several detached rocks ranging from 90 feet in 
height and 500 feet in length, to 10 feet in height, with two or three 
nearly awash, over which the sea was breaking. They are about 500 
yards in extent, and can be approached within half a mile with safety. 
Ho two charts agree as to their location, giving it from latitude 55° 44' 
00" to 55° 45' 00" H., longitude 157° 25' 00" to 157° 30' 00" W. It was 
our intention to verify their position, but a dense fog, which settled down 
soon after we left the mainland, prevented. Our run placed them in 55° 
43' 00" H., and 157° 20' 00" W., but was not sufficiently reliable to justify 
us in changing their position on the chart. Latitude 55° 44' 00° H. and 
longitude 157° 25' 00" W. is about the mean, and not far from correct. 
They are entirely barren of vegetation, but harbor an extensive rook- 
ery of sea lions, which covered nearly the whole surface of the rocks. 
Sea birds were nestling among the cliffs, and the naturalists collected 
several specimens with their eggs and young. They also brought off 
the skin of a large sea lion, 13 feet in length, which was preserved in 
salt. The hand lines were put over, but no fish were taken, the sea 
lions having driven them away from the vicinity. We left the rocks 
