INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
429 
We anchored at 5:52 p. m. in Smuggler’s Cove, Santa Cruz Island, 
where excellent protection was found from the prevailing coast winds. 
There is quite an extensive ranch near the cove, with olive and fig 
orchards, a vineyard, large meadows, cattle, sheep, etc. We remained 
at anchor during the forenoon of the 7th, giving the naturalists an oppor- 
tunity to investigate the shore line. The fishermen were particularly 
successful with the gill net. 
Getting under way at 12:30 p. m. we took three hauls of the trawl off 
the south side of the island, and at 6:15 anchored in Bechet’s Bay at 
the east end of Santa Rosa. Two of the hauls of the afternoon, Nos. 
2947 and 2948, in 269 and 266 fathoms, were among the richest of the 
cruise, a great variety of specimens, including 4 black cod, being ob- 
tained. The latter were rather under the medium size, but their flesh 
was excellent in flavor, nearly, if not quite, equal to those taken off the 
Oregon and Washington coasts. The deep-water sole is another excel- 
lent fish found here, and ranks among the best sea fishes on the Pacific 
coast, far superior to any that reach the Santa Barbara or San Diego 
markets. 
We were under way at daylight on the morning of the 8th, and ran* a 
line of dredging and fishing stations through the channel between Santa 
Rosa and Santa Cruz, and thence several miles along the crest of a sub- 
marine ridge which extends in the direction of San Nicolas. A fishing 
party had been sent out before we left the island, and as they were not 
prepared for a long absence from the ship we were obliged to return 
and pick them up, leaving the further exploration of the ridge to some 
future time. 
A line of dredging and fishing stations was run along the south side 
of Santa Rosa during the afternoon, and at 4:40 we anchored under the 
southeast side of San Miguel. The character of the bottom differed 
from that of the previous day’s investigations, it^being clean hard sand, 
with frequent sharp rock projections, which made havoc with the nets. 
It was also barren of life, very few specimens being taken. A party of 
naturalists landed to explore the island, and a fishing party went out 
under the direction of Captain Larco, returning a little after dark with 
a good catch. 
Getting under way at daylight on the morning of the 9th, we steamed 
towards Richardson’s Rocks, which lie off the western end of San Mi- 
guel. A dense fog came rolling in before we reached there, and threat- 
ened for a time to interfere with our work, but finally passed off, and 
we arrived at our working ground without further delay. A line of 
fishing stations was occupied between the rocks and San Miguel, via 
Watson’s Rock, and a party was sent out under the direction of Cap- 
tain Larco to investigate localities inaccessible to the ship. We met 
with ordinary success only until passing Watson’s Rock, where fish 
were found in great numbers, a thousand pounds or more being taken 
in less than 2 hours. Several successful hauls of the trawl were made 
