15.-REP0RT UPON AN INVESTIGATION OF THE FISHING GROUNDS OFF 
THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA. 
BY A. C. ADAMS AND W. C. KENDALL. 
(With Plate cxi and one text figure.) 
INTRODUCTION. 
The Fish Commission schooner Orampuitj Oapt. A. C. Adams, commanding, left 
Wood's Holl, Massachusetts, January 14, 1889, for the Gulf of Mexico, under instruc- 
tions to investigate the physical and biological characteristics of the red snapper 
and grouper grounds off the west coast of Florida, and the shore fishes and fisheries 
between Biscayne Bay and Cedar Keys. Dr. James A. Henshall, secretary of the 
Cincinnati Society of Natural History, and Mr. W. C. Kendall were assigned to the 
Grampus as naturalists, the former to conduct the coast inquiries, the latter to remain 
with the schooner on the offshore work. 
The instructions for the ottshore explorations were essentially as follows: The 
area marked out for examination was comprised between the depths of about 15 and 
50 fathoms, beginning about 20 miles north of the Tortugas Islands, and extending to 
within 20 or 30 miles of Cape San Bias. The work was to be begun at the south and 
carried northward to such exteut as the time and weather would permit. The bot- 
tom varies considerably in different parts of this region, being rich and affording 
good fishing in some places, while in others it is poor and devoid of much life. The 
object of the cruise was, if possible, to determine the precise localities to which red 
snappers and groupers resort in greatest abundance. The investigation was to be 
conducted in the following manner: Lines of dredging and fishing stations were to be 
run across the plateau in an east and west direction, or practically parallel with the 
lines of latitude, at intervals of about 10 miles. Continuous trials for fish, by the 
methods emi)loyed by the red-snapper fishermen, were to be made along these lines, 
and the bottom was to be examined by means of the dredge at regular stations 
located about 10 miles apart. Temperature and other physical and meteorological 
observations were also to be recorded. 
In the coast work Dr. Henshall was instructed to collect and study the fishes 
along the region above defined, and also the marine invertebrates with special refer- 
ence to the useful species of crustaceans, sponges, etc. With respect to the fishes, he 
Bull. H. S. F, C. 89 19 289 
