[41] WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 411 



lowered in 31 fathoms, rocky bottom, near the Frailes, Cape San Lucas, 

 and a variety of interesting specimens were secured, although it was 

 not so rich as we anticipated. A strong current to the southward and 

 eastward was felt as we rounded the cape, but we lost it later in the 

 day. At 6 p. m., a successful haul of the trawl was made in 66 fathoms, 

 fine sand, latitude 23° 33' N., longitude 110° 37 / W. We began to feel 

 the coast winds from NW. during the day, light at first, but increasing 

 to a moderate breeze with a decided fall in temperature. 



Passing Cape Tosca at daylight on the 2d we entered Magdalena Bay, 

 and at 7.35 anchored in 7 fathoms near the NW. extremity of Sta. 

 Margarita Island, and one-fourth of a mile from shore. The naturalists 

 with parties of volunteers landed as soon as we anchored and returned 

 at meridian, having met with fair success. We got under way imme- 

 diately after their return and made a haul of the trawl near the anchor- 

 age; then steamed out of the bay, passing Entrada Point at 1.18 p. m. 

 A haul of the trawl, and another with the tangles was made between 

 3 and 4 p. m., and an hour later we passed Cape San Lazero and laid a 

 course for Abreojos Point. 



Pleasant weather continued, with increasing winds from the west- 

 ward. High land was sighted at daylight on the 3d, and at 7.30 a. m. the 

 trawl was cast in 48 fathoms, sand and mud, latitude 26° 14' N., longi- 

 tude 113° 13' W. Large numbers of whales were seen during the fore- 

 noon while we were passing Ballenas Bay. Abreojos was made at 11 a. in., 

 and at 12.30 p. m. we anchored in 5 fathoms under the lee of the point. 



The surf was quite heavy, but we landed the collectors without much 

 difficulty, and they returned at night fairly well satisfied with the day's 

 collecting. Being anxious to obtain specimens of the coyote for the 

 National Museum, Mr. Townsend placed several pieces of poisoned bait 

 on the beach, and, on visiting the locality the following morning, found 

 three fine specimens lying dead. 



Getting under way at 7.30 a. in., we made a haul of the dredge in 5 

 fathoms, followed by the tangles in 6 fathoms, in the vain endeavor to 

 procure living specimens of mollusca. Great windrows of their dead 

 shells were thrown upon the beach, but were perhaps from deeper water. 

 Standing out clear of the shoals we steamed up the coast, passing 

 Asuncion Island at 4 p. m., San Roque Point at 5.30, and Morro Her- 

 moso at 9.10 p. m. Whales were seen frequently during the day. 



May 5 opened with moderate westerly winds and frequent mist 

 squalls, which saturated everything about decks, and was so thick at 

 times that we were unable to see the ship's length, but it cleared at 

 daylight, and at 6.20 we anchored in a small bay to the northward of 

 Morro Redondo, Cerros Island. 



The collectors were landed, returning on board at 9 a. m., when we 

 got under way and steamed along the east side of the island, finally 

 anchoring at 10.30 about 9 miles from Morro Redondo, off quite an ex- 

 tensive valley, and in sight of the cedars on the heights, from which 

 the island derives its name. The collectors were again landed, and re- 



