442 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
specimens, apparatus, anti the vessel itself. They were particularly in- 
terested in our explorations in the gulf, and examined the various spec- 
imens with great interest, expressing surprise at the variety of marine 
fauna which they had never seen nor heard of before. The submarine 
electric light attracted much attention. 
Guaymas to Gape San Lucas ; study of oyster beds . — The naturalists 
were out at daylight on the 31st, returning at 7 a. m„ and half an hour 
later we left the harbor for the oyster grounds about the Yaqui River. 
At 9:45 a haul of the trawl was made in 20 fathoms, mud, and an hour 
later we came to off the entrance to Algodones Lagoon, from which most 
of the oysters sold in the Guaymas market are obtained. There was 
about 5 feet of water on the bar at low tide, and from 5 to 20 feet in the 
lagoon. The temperature of the water was 69° F., specific gravity 
1.026508. 
Oysters of excellent quality were found in abundance on banks, and 
in clusters scattered about the bottom, which was composed of sand and 
mud, most of them being exposed at ordinary low water, and all of them 
at spring tides. The oysters were about the size of those found in 
Chesapeake Bay, perhaps a little smaller, plump, and fat, of excellent 
flavor, and compared favorably with the wild Raccoon oysters of the 
Atlantic Coast. Indians collect them by hand, transport them to Guay- 
mas in canoes, and sell them for $1 per 1,000. 
San Juan Lagoon lies between Algodones and the Yaqui River. The 
depth of water is about the same, the temperature 70° F., and specific 
gravity 1.026808 ; bottom, sand and mud. The beds were more exten- 
sive than at Algodones, and the oysters ran about the same size, but 
were not so fat or of as fine a flavor. 
An examination of the Yaqui River was made on the afternoon of 
April 1. Fresh water extended to the bar and flowed into the gulf in 
large volumes. There were no indications of oysters inside of the bar, 
not even dead shells. Myriads of sea birds were gathered on the beaches 
and extensive sand bars. A couple of Indian fishermen anchored in 
the brackish water just outside of the bar and, with the crudest fishing 
gear, in- less than -2 hours, loaded their canoe with jewfish and large 
sea bass. Trial lines were put over from the ship at her anchorages off 
the lagoons and river mouth, taking many catfish. The collectors 
returned at 5:15 p. in., when we got under way and steamed to the 
southward, anchoring at 8:53 a. m., the following day, off a lagoon or 
estero, about 3 miles north of Rio del Fuerte. Fish were found in great 
abundance, oqueteague, Spanish mackerel, and mullet being among the 
most numerous. 
The naturalists returned to the ship at 4 p. m., and the time allotted 
for explorations in the gulf having expired, we got under way for La 
Paz, where we arrived at 8:30 on the morning of April 3. The United 
States* consul visited the ship, and with him I called on the military 
governor, who, with his staff, returned the visit during the afternoon. 
