INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
435 
tile areas in the elevated mesas are much greater in extent than those 
of Clarion Island, and were covered with an equally luxuriant growth 
of grass, affording excellent pasturage. The surface was smooth, and 
walking a pleasure after toiling through the almost impassable region 
of bowlders and cactus on the lower levels. Dense clumps of bushes 
were frequently encountered, and in sheltered spots groves of cotton- 
woods were seen, some of the trees reaching a height of 30 feet or more. 
The vine producing the bean on which Captain Colnett’s men became 
so sick was seen in bloom. There were two species of grass, and about 
half a dozen flowering plants. We saw no sea birds on the island and 
very few on the wing, which was a surprise after our experience at 
Clarion. Six species of land birds were taken : a large red dove, ground 
robin, wren, hawk, thrush, and a night heron. Two species of lizards, 
from 4 to 7 inches in length, were the only reptiles seen. Flies, mos- 
quitoes, and butterflies were found, but no beetles or spiders, both of 
which were plentiful on Clarion Island. 
Fish were verj plentiful, 44 species being taken, 14 of which were 
not found at Clarion ; 30 were common to both of the islands, and 20 
species from each place were edible. Many of them were unknown to 
Professor Gilbert, and nearly all were new to me. Quite a number of 
chub mackerel were taken with hook and line at night by the aid of 
the submarine light ; two or three other species that would not take the 
hook in the daytime were captured in the same manner. Humpbacked 
whales were constantly in sight during our stay at Clarion Island and 
Socorro, quite a number of calves being seen at the latter place. 
Socorro Island to San Benedicto Island and Cape San Lucas . — At 3:10 
a. m., March 10, we left Braith waite Bay for San Benedicto Island, 
about 30 miles distant, directly on our route to the Gulf of California. 
The greatest depth, 1,635 fathoms, was found about midway between 
the islands. Anchoring off the east side of the latter at 9:45 a. in., the 
collectors were landed and a fishing party sent out. 
San Benedicto, like all others of the group, is of volcanic origin, about 
3 miles in length, one-half to three-quarters of a mile in width, and 975 
feet in height, irregular in form, concave on the east side, and, including 
the outlying rocks, convex on the west side. The southern end is the 
highest, and is the half of a volcanic cone composed of pumice stone, with 
an occasional mass of dark-red lava rock. The mountain has been sepa- 
rated in the middle, the western half left standing, while the other por- 
tion has entirely disappeared, exposing the interior of the crater. The 
island has usually been reported as a barren rock. Its surface is irreg- 
ular, and on the lower levels there is little vegetation; but there are 
elevated mesas on which a luxuriant growth of grass was found, the 
succulent “bunch” grass, so highly prized by stock men, and a rank, 
woody-stalked variety, growing from 3 to 5 feet high, and so thick that 
it was not an easy task to walk through it. Cactus is one of the chief 
products of the islands of the group, yet it was not observed on San 
