INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
441 
its sea face and the large rock to the eastward of it are solid masses of 
pumice-stone. Large numbers of sea lions were seen on the rocks to 
the northward of our anchorage, and whales and porpoises were plenti- 
ful, but the latter seemed very wild. The collectors were out at daylight 
the following morning, returning at 8:10 with fish, turtles, etc. Three 
sea lions were brought in and skinned, and two skeletons prepared. 
As soon as the boats were hoisted we steamed into Willard Bay and 
anchored at 10:35 a. m. in 6 fathoms, sand and mud. Fishing parties 
and shore collectors left as soon as the anchor was down. 
Willard Bay is not shown on the gulf chart, and as it is a safe anchor- 
age, entirely protected from all winds except from the southward, and 
partially protected even in that direction, we made a reconnoissance of 
it during the day, which is sufficiently accurate for purposes of naviga- 
tion. The position of the observation spot is reliable, having been 
located by equal altitudes of the sun for longitude, and ex-meridian and 
meridian altitudes for latitude, the artificial horizon being used. The 
lagoon mentioned in Hydrographic Notice No. 6, 1889, is a bay opening 
to the sea north of the island forming the north and east sides of Wil- 
lard Bay, the two being connected by a narrow channel through which 
boats can pass at half tide. It was dry at low water. The seining par- 
ties were fairly successful, and the line fishermen found many fish about 
the rocks, but they would not take a hook. The collectors were out 
again at daylight on the 29th, returning at 9 a. m., when we got under 
way, skirted the southern shores of San Luis Gonzales Bay to Cape 
Final, thence across Ballehas Channel to Pnenta Refugio, Angel de la 
Guardia Island, where we arrived at 3:15 p. m. and anchored in 
fathoms. 
The sailing directions mention Puenta Refugio as being noted for 
iguanas and rattlesnakes. We saw none of the former, but found many 
lizards on the low land near the bay, the specimens procured measuring 
from 14 to 18 inches in length. It was early in the season for rattle- 
snakes, yet two were captured near the beach. The collectors returned 
at 5 p. m. with a variety of shoal-water specimens and a couple of seals, 
besides the lizards and rattlesnakes before mentioned. Whales were in 
sight most of the day, and about noon we passed within a mile or two 
of a dead one, on which thousands of birds were feasting. Getting 
under way, at 5:25 we steamed out of the eastern entrance en route for 
Guaymas. Puenta Refugio is an excellent harbor, entirely protected 
except from northerly aud easterly winds, and Granite Island affords 
partial protection in that direction. The latter island, as its name 
implies, is a solid mass of excellent granite. 
At 12:30 a. in., March 30, we entered the channel between Tiburon and 
San Estaban Islands, doubled Cape Haro at 3 p. in., aud came to in the 
inner harbor of Guaymas at 3:55 p. m. The United States consul visited 
the ship, and in the evening General Julio M. Cervantes, military gov- 
ernor, with a large number of gentlemen, came on board and examined 
