INVESTIGATIONS OF *TIIE ALBATROSS. 
467 
about 3 fathoms a short distance off a high volcanic promontory on the 
eastern side of the bay. The water was perfectly clear and presented 
a beautiful sight. Volcanic rocks and corals composed the bottom, 
which was cut with winding caverns running in all directions and shel- 
tering many fishes of brilliant colors. No sooner was a line thrown 
into the water than hundreds of fishes would dart toward the bait. 
Only a few of the species would take the hook, and great care had to 
be exercised in pulling them up to prevent their escaping with both 
hook and sinker. They were very active, and several times succeeded 
in parting the lines. We had been fishing only a short time when many 
sharks appeared about us and did much damage to our gear. Returning 
to the ship we found the crew had taken several hundred fish, including 
a number of large sharks ; Captain Tanner, who had been fishing in a 
small boat in another part of the bay, was also very successful. After 
lunch the fishing was continued and many additional species captured. 
On the morning of the 4th a landing was made on the beach and, 
although the shore was very rough from coral growth, several successful 
hauls were made with the small seine. Two large specimens of eels 
were collected in the tide pools, and the seine was also used in a fresh- 
water lagoon, a short distance back from the beach. There are two of 
these lagoons on the island, which appear to serve as watering-places 
for the birds of the region. After returning to the ship late in the 
afternoon, she steamed around the western end of the island and along 
the northern shore to ascertain if there were any sea lions or sea ele- 
phants about, but none were observed. A course was then laid for 
Socorro Island, which was reached at midnight the next day, and the 
following morning an anchorage was made in Braithwaite Bay on its 
southern side. Pishing and other collecting were carried on unremit- 
tingly throughout the day. The same fishes were found as at Clarion 
Island and several additional species were collected ; their surround- 
ings were also the same, and through the clear water we could plainly 
see their bright and many-colored iridescent forms, combining to pro- 
duce a brilliant scene such as can be observed only within the tropics. 
Anchoring near the rocks, we made use of a water glass in connection 
with our hand-line fishing. A few species would not take the hook and 
the bait was frequently stolen by other forms. While the mouths of 
many kinds were so small that they could be caught upon a small hook 
only, a large wire hook would have been required to hold them, and 
but few of these were brought to the surface. The next morniug a 
crab net was included in our outfit and by its use we managed to en- 
trap many of the coveted species. Sharks were exceedingly abundant 
and troublesome, and the utmost care had to be exercised to prevent 
their carrying away our gear. 
Each evening the electric light was used at the surface, tolling many 
fishes around the ship. About two-thirds of a barrel of small fry were 
captured, and also 8 chub mackerel. I split and gibbed a few of the 
