400 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [30] 



as we approached the land, and birds, both land and sea, increased in 

 numbers. Blackfishand porpoises were seen frequently, besides myriads 

 of flying-fish. Squally weather incident to the region of doldrums was 

 experienced after losing the SE. trades until those from NE. were 

 picked up in 4° N. 



Four hauls of the trawl were made on the 5th near the Pearl Islands 

 in 62, 33, 33, and 18 fathoms, besides one with the oyster dredge. The 

 results of the day's operations were very satisfactory to the naturalists, 

 the grounds proving very rich in life, and many of the forms new to 

 science. We anchored for the night at 7.30 p. in. between Galera and 

 St. Elmo Islands, in 21 fathoms. Getting under way at 5.45 on the 

 morning of March 6 we steamed to the eastward of the Pearl Islands, 

 and at 11.15 cast the trawl in 30 fathoms, green mud, landing it on deck 

 at 11.45, with a heavy load of mud, composed largely of decayed organic 

 matter so offensive in odor that it was considered prudent to move on. 



We anchored off Perico Island at 3.10 p. m. and received a visit from 

 the commanding officer of the Colombian revenue-cutter Boyaca, who 

 informed us that by virtue of a decree of the National Congress dated 

 November 3, 1887, all vessels from Chilian ports were forbidden en- 

 trance to the harbors of the United States of Colombia, and that we 

 must go immediately to the anchorage near Taboguillo Island. Hav- 

 ing handed him cablegrams, letters, etc., which he promised to forward 

 or deliver, we got under way and proceeded to the island, as directed, 

 anchoring in 10 fathoms, about half a mile from shore. 



We were left to ourselves until noon of the 8th, when Dr. Halstead, 

 the quarantine officer, came alongside and made the usual inquiries, 

 taking our bill of health, and a statement from the surgeon that we 

 had been at sea seventeen days, during which time there had been no 

 sickness onboard. Our case was not one of quarantine, simply, but of 

 absolute exclusion according to law, the governor being the only officer 

 on the Isthmus with authority to modify it. I had already informed 

 the United States consul-general, Capt. J. M. Dow, and Mr. Henry 

 Schuber, of our arrival, and requested their good offices in procuring 

 us pratique with as little delay as possible. The doctor brought us a 

 large mail which had accumulated at Panama, also such mess stores as 

 were ordered by the caterers. Promising to exert himself in our behalf, 

 he left until the following day, when he informed us that the last official 

 act of the retiring governor-geueral, Alejandro Posada, was to sign an 

 order admitting the A Ibatross to pratique, on March 13, providing chol- 

 era did not break out on board in the mean time, and further, that we 

 would not give the crew liberty to go on shore in Panama. 



Nothing of moment occurred until the evening of the 13th, when the 

 health officer visited the ship, and, having satisfied himself that no 

 cases of cholera had occurred, gave us pratique. It was too late to 

 move that evening, but we were under way early the following morning, 

 and steamed to the Pacific Mail station off Naos Island, where Captain 



