[39] WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 409 



cactus being distributed over its surface. There is no living water on 

 the island, yet it is a favorite resort for the celebrated galapagos, from 

 which the group derives its name. A hunting party, consisting of our 

 guides and several of the crew, were dispatched to the mountains for 

 tortoises, while the naturalists gave their attention to birds, lizards, 

 fishes, etc. Ten galapagos of moderate size were secured, the guides 

 bringing two each down the rugged mountain side. 



We left our anchorage at 4.40 p. m., cast the lead in 108 fathoms 4 

 miles S. J W. of Barrington Island, and in 139 and 329 fathoms be- 

 tween the latter and Chatham Island, where we arrived and anchored, 

 at G.55 a. m. April 14. Young Mr. Cobos and the native guides left us 

 during the morning, the latter having been compensated for their serv- 

 ices, and acknowledgments made to the former for his advice and 

 assistance. Supplies were received from the plantation during the day, 

 and preparations made to leave the islands. Sefior Cobos visited the 

 shij) during the afternoon, and in the evening Ave received from him 

 eight tortoises, one very large one, a quantity of fruit, and a fine bul- 

 lock. While on board he informed me of the existence of a rock not 

 shown on the chart of Wreck Bay, lying about 3 cables SSE. magnetic 

 from Lido Point, having 15 feet on it at low water. It undoubtedly ex- 

 ists in about that position, but I had no opportunity of verifying it. 



At 7.50a. m. April 15 we left the island, made three successful and very 

 interesting hauls of the trawl during the day, and, at 7.20 the following 

 morning, anchored in 20 fathoms otf the south end of Abingdon Island, 

 about midway between Capes Chalmers and Ibbetson. We had just 

 swinging room, and, although entirely exposed, the swell was not heavy, 

 and landing was effected with but little trouble. The collectors went 

 on shore, returning at 10 a. m. thoroughly satisfied with their experi- 

 ence of the island, which they declared was the hottest place they had 

 seen during the voyage. The collection of birds, lizards, etc., was in- 

 creased by numbers of fine specimens. Among the fishes was a beauti- 

 ful golden grouper, the only one taken, although they were seen in the 

 water on several occasions. 



Galapagos Islands to Acapulco and La Paz, Mexico. — We were under 

 way again at 10.37 a. m., en route for Acapulco. The winds were light 

 and variable with passing rain squalls and frequent lightning, and 

 several water-spouts were seen during the afternoon. 



At 5 p. m. we made Wenman Island, about 25 miles distant, and next 

 to Culpepper, the most northern of the archipelago. 



The 17th was calm most of the time, hot and sultry, with frequent 

 lightning to the northward. At 8 p. in. we sounded in 1,976 fathoms, 

 brown ooze, latitude 4° 44 / K, longitude 93° 02' W. The trades were 

 encountered on the 18th, in G° N., light at first, but gradually increasing 

 to a moderate breeze with clearing weather. The equatorial counter 

 current was felt between latitudes 3° and 6° K, setting 13 miles N. 32° 

 E., in twenty-four hours, it having been 30 miles N. 32° W. the previous 

 day, and 46 miles S. 81° W. the day following. The first indication of 



