426 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
the general results may be stated as follows. The charts are on scales 
entirely too small to admit of details being shown. Bishop’s Rock, on 
which there is but 10 or 12 feet, is the shoalest part of the bank. The 
sea breaks over it heavily during moderate weather, but with a smooth 
sea, when fading the sun, it can not be seen at any distance and is at 
such times very dangerous. The depths correspond generally with 
those on the charts, with the exception of a 6-fathom spot which was 
found about a mile south and east of Bishop’s Rock. This might 
have led to a less depth, but there was a heavy swell at the time, which 
induced us to seek deeper water. Our soundings extended the area of 
the bank in a southwest direction, where it requires further examina- 
tion. The bottom was composed of sand, shells, coral, and rock, the 
latter cropping out at short intervals over the entire surface. The 
fauna was very rich and varied. Fish were swarming over the bank 
in great numbers, and, in fact, it was found to be the richest ground we 
have found in the Pacific. 
The trawl line was set and quite a number of fish taken, but the 
bottom was too rough for that method of fishing. Dangerous seas will 
be encountered on the bank in stormy weather, and heavy swells with 
moderate winds, but it is of small extent, and with the deep water sur- 
rounding it not an unusually dangerous fishing ground. 
Starting from the northern eud of the bank a little after dark on the 
evening of the 17th, we ran a^ line of soundings in the direction of San 
Nicolas Island for 12 miles, in depths less than 200 fathoms, 59 fathoms 
being found at 18 miles. This we marked for future investigation and 
continued our course to the island. 
San Nicolas Island to San Diego . — We anchored oif the east end of 
San Nicolas at 7:15 a. in., and landed a party of naturalists, who re- 
turned at noon with several additions to our collection, although the 
region was found to be rather barren of life. They labored under thb 
disadvantage of collecting in half a gale of wind, the air filled with fine 
sand, and most of the small birds hidden from view. Evidences of a 
former population, in the shape of Skeletons and broken stone mortars, 
were found in spots where they had been exposed by driftiug'sand. 
Increasing wind and sea made boat work impracticable, so, to utilize 
the time, we got under way and ran a line of soundings to San Clemente, 
and thence to the region of Point Lorn a, where we arrived at daylight 
the following morning. The wind moderated as we approached the main- 
land, rain squalls ceased, and the sun rose bright and clear, revealing the 
snow-crowned mountains in the interior; The day was spent in deep- 
sea explorations, after which we steamed into San Diego and anchored. 
We were occupied during the 21st and 22din overhauling the sounding 
and dredging gear, and some small repairs were made in the engineer’s 
department. 
Tanner Bank to San Clemente Island . — Everything being in readiness, 
we left the harbor at 7 a. m., January 23 ; made several hauls with the 
