INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ALBATROSS. 
463 
On the morning of February 12 many hauls were made with the beam 
trawl in Anacapa Passage and off the southern end of Auacapa Island. 
A haul 11 miles south of the island in 603 fathoms (station 2980) was 
one of the richest made in this region. Two trials were also made for 
bottom fish on the southern side of Auacapa. The first was in 52 
fathoms, 1£ miles south of Arch rock ; the second was in 36 fathoms, 
1 mile uorth of the same rock. Six red rock-cod were captured. A 
strong breeze was blowing at the time, which caused the ship to drift 
rapidly, and consequently a large catch could not be expected, but a 
sufficient number were secured to demonstrate the presence ot fish in 
this position, and they might have been taken in abundance under more 
favorable circumstances. Mr. Larco states, however, that, while they 
are numerous one day, the next day, and perhaps for a week following, 
not a bite may be obtained. These sudden changes may be due to the 
smaller fish on which they feed moving from spot to spot. 
During the night the Albatross lay, to off San Nicolas Island, and the 
next morning fishing was begun with hand lines. Two trials were made 
before good grounds were discovered. The third trial gave better 
results, as 17 red rock-cod, 3 whitefish, 2 yellow- tails, 1 fat-head, 1 cultus- 
cod, and 4 jacks (Sebastodes paucispinis) were lauded in 10 minutes. This 
spot was 2 miles WSW. from San Nicolas Island; depth, 21 fathoms. 
We soon drifted, however, into depths where no fish could be obtained. 
Returning to the first position in 22J fathoms, the biting began at once, 
and we secured 4 red rock-cod, 1 yellow-tail, 1 white fish, 3 fat-heads, and 
1 cultus-cod. 
An anchorage was made in the afternoon on the northern and eastern 
side of Santa Barbara Island, where the naturalists were landed. A crab 
net, baited with fresh whitefish, was put over the side, but nothing 
was captured in it. The hand lines did better, although during the first 
hour no bites were felt. Towards evening, however, a school of red rock- 
cod and whitefish passed under the ship, and between 40 and 50 of them 
were caught. The longer we fished the more plentiful they seemed to 
become. The dingey, with Captain Tanner and the writer, was rowed to 
a point about half a mile to the westward of a reef of sharp rocks which 
makes off from the shore; where we fished for about an hour, making 
several changes in our position during that time. The catch consisted 
of 3 red rock-cod and 1 fat-head. One large flounder ( Paralichtliys call- 
fornicus), of the kind called halibut by the fishermen of San Diego, was 
hauled to the surface of the water, but owing to its being “ lip-hooked” 
it managed to free itself, greatly to our disappointment. 
The following morning, after running a line of soundings to Santa 
Catalina Islands, the ship w 7 as headed for San Diego, w T here w r e arrived 
at 6:20 p. m. 
General remarks on the fish and fisheries about the Santa Barbara 
Islands and Channel.— Mackerel strike in at the Santa Barbara Islands 
and Channel about the first of March and remain until October. Mr. 
