INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
437 
There were but few specimens taken, and the tow net demonstrated 
the entire absence of life on the surface. 
The trawl was cast again at 1:26 p. rn. in 211 fathoms, midway between 
Espiritu Santo and San Josef Islands, and as in the previous haul few 
specimens were taken. The lead rope was loaded with seaweed having 
the offensive odor of decaying organic matter. The character of the 
bottom in this region is represented as rocky by tlfe Hydrographic Office 
chart, and judging by the appearance of the arming on the lead, which 
was indented without bringing up a specimen, we would have confirmed 
it, but the trawl showed a perfectly smooth bottom, and the presence in 
the net of two or three small pieces of compact sand revealed the true 
nature of the soil. Another haul of the trawl was made in 40 fathoms, 
sand and broken shells, between San Josef Island and the mainland, 
in which the same offensive weed was found and very little else. The 
tow net showed an almost total absence of life on the surface. 
Arriving off Salinas Point, San Josef Island, at 4:40, we landed a 
fishing party, which made several hauls with the seine while the ship 
was engaged in dredging. The oyster dredge was used, and outside of 
20 fathoms very few mollusca were found, but in from 10 to 12 fathoms 
the ground was literally covered with living and dead shells, having a 
sprinkling of pearl oysters among them. At 5:50 p. m. we came to for 
the night in Salinas anchorage, the fishing party returning a few min- 
utes later. 
Getting under way at daylight the following morning, we steamed to 
the entrance of a salt-water lagoon, near the northwest end of the island, 
which we were informed in La Paz was the best place oh the west side 
of the gulf tor oysters. Two boats were sent in charge of Professor Gil- 
bert to investigate the matter, and returned in about 2 hours, bringing 
specimens of mangrove oysters. These have small, round shells, with 
fluted edges, and are very salt and bitter, with a slight coppery taste. 
While they might be considered edible, they are inferior to the poorest 
wild oysters on the Atlantic coast. The temperature of surface and 
bottom was 71°; specific gravity, 1.027764, a little above the average of 
sea water. 
San J osef Island to Carmen Island . — Continuing our course to the 
northward, a haul of the trawl was made at 12:30 p. m. in 362 fathoms, 
green mud. The bottom was very soft, the net taking in an enormous 
load of mud, which required much time and patience to get rid of before 
it could be landed. There was a large number of deep-sea cusk taken, 
the haul being remarkable for the absence of other forms of life usually 
found at that depth. 
At 7:15 p. m. we anchored in Salinas Bay, Carmen Island, which is 
an excellent harbor during northerly winds, although open to the south- 
ward. The submarine electric light was put over during the evening, 
attracting a school of mackerel. Quite a large number were taken with 
hook and line, but their flesh was found to be dry and lacking in flavor. 
