INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
449 
Passing Cape Flattery at 10 p. m., we steamed offshore until 7:45 
a. m. on the 28th, when the trawl was cast in 760 fathoms, green mud. 
A heavy westerly swell caused the ship to tumble about so much that 
it was difficult to carry on our work, and finally resulted in parting 
the bridle stops, causing the net to come up tail first, and practically 
empty. There were, however, a few pennatulas, starfish, holothurians, 
etc., adhering to the net. Four more hauls were made during the day 
in 636, 6S5, 584, and 477 fathoms, the bottom being uniformly of green 
mud. The wind and sea increased with heavy rain squalls, making it 
necessary to use the small trawl the latter part of the day, the weather 
being too boisterous to handle the large one with safety. The results 
were very satisfactory and, it being practically new ground, many un- 
recognized specimens were taken besides others that were familiar, 
among them being several species of flounders, deep-sea sole, Norway 
haddock, red rock-cod, macruri,chim8eras, hag-fish, Antimora , and other 
small species. Among the invertebrates were shrimp, sea-urchins, holo- 
thurians, ophiurans, starfish, sea-anemones, crinoids, pennatulas, hermit 
crabs, annelids, etc. 
The weather was partially overcast on the 29th, with moderate winds 
and heavy westerly swells. Three hauls of the trawl were made in 877, 
859, and 178 fathoms, green mud, with excellent results. Among the 
fishes recognized were Norway haddock, flounders, sole, red rock-cod, 
and a single specimen of black cod taken in 859 fathoms, the greatest 
depth in which they have been found. Among the invertebrates were 
holothurians, sea-anemones, starfish, ophiurans, hermit crabs, an octopus, 
shrimp, annelids, sea-urchins, pennatulas, etc., the greatest amount of 
life being found in about 200 fathoms. 
The stations occupied on the 28th and 29tli extended our explorations 
from the shore to 877 fathoms, and gave us a very good representation 
of the marine fauna occupying the various depths. A notable feature 
in the hauls made during the trip was the absence of mud in the trawl 
net when it reached the surface, although soft green mud was reported 
at every station. This would seem to indicate that the bottom was com- 
posed largely of very fine sand, rather than mud, or at least the absence 
of clay. A few whales were seen, but with this exception no surface 
life was observed. The brown albatross and an occasional petrel were 
the only birds seen, except near the land, where gulls were plentiful. 
. The last haul of the trawl was finished at 5:28, when we steamed for 
Gape Flattery, en route for Departure Bay, British Columbia, for coal. 
Passing the cape at 10 p. m.,we entered the Straits of Juan de Fuca, 
through which we steamed to Haro Strait, Active Pass, and the Gulf of 
Georgia, arriving at the coaling station at 3 p. in., June 30, where 
arrangements were made for coaling preparatory to taking the U. S. 
Senate committee on Indian Affairs to Alaska. 
H. Mis. 274 -29 
