292 
BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
The next fish, two red snappers, averaging 27J inches in length, were taken at sta- 
tion 5052, although the bottom at that place was soft. No bites were felt between 
stations 5051 and 5052. The vessel anchored on the ground at 6 p. m. on February 15, 
and during the evening the following were taken on hand lines : Eight or ten sailors’ 
choice {Lagodon rhomhojdes), two small red-mouthed grunts {Jlcemulon rimator)^ two 
squirrel fish {Serranus formosus), and a crab {Calappa marmorata). 
Two trials were made on the run to station 5053, but no fish were taken, although 
the soundings were considered favorable. Better success was had at the latter sta- 
tion, however, where trial No. 3 was made while the dredge was out, the bottom con- 
taining considerable life although composed of sandy mud. Five lines were kept out 
about twenty-five minutes, taking thirty-one red snappers, one red grouper, and two 
black groupers. The former species was very abundant, and a good fare could proba- 
bly have been obtained in a comparatively short time. The average length of the 
snappers was 24 inches ; nine of them measured 29 inches each, and the three smallest 
13^ inches each. The largest grouper measured 36 inches and weighed 22J pounds. 
No bites were obtained between stations 5053 and 5056, nor at the latter station. 
After leaving station 5056 two large red snapj)ers and one large grouper were caught, 
at 5.30 p. m. (trial 4). The snappers measured 33 and 36 inches, respectively, and the 
grouper 35 inches. This trial was made just before dark, and other fish could be 
felt nibbling at the bait, but the vessel did not lay to long enough to secure a larger 
catch. Had it been earlier in the day large fish would probably have been taken in 
abundance. In this same localit,y a small shark {CarcJiarJiinus terrcc-novce) containing 
a fish {Monacantlms hispidus) in its stomach was captured. 
No fish were taken at station 5057, but while at anchor during the evening of Feb- 
ruary 16 (trial 5) two red groupers, each measuring 21 inches, were obtained in 37 
fathoms, sand, broken shells, and corals. 
The next morning at 9 o’clock one black grouper, 28 inches long, was caught 3 
miles west of station 5057, of the previous day; depth, 38 fathoms; sandy bottom, with 
broken shells and corals. Nothing was obtained at station 5058. Three flying fish 
were seen on February 16. 
LINE B.— FEBEUARY 17 TO 19 ; STATIONS 5059 TO 5067. 
Dredgings . — Line B was begun at the outer or deep-water end and was carried 
eastward along a somewhat irregular line, varying from latitude 25° 12' to 25° 17' N. 
Station 5059 was in 50 fathoms, drift one-eighth of a mile; contents of dredge, sand 
and broken shells. At the next station, 5060, 38 fathoms, drift three-eighths of a 
mile, the dredge brought up sand, broken shells and coral, and some small crusta- 
ceans. Station 5061 was in 36 fathoms, drift one-half a mile; bottom, sand and 
broken shells. One small fish {Bhypticus pituitosus) and one crab were the only signs 
of life taken in the dredge. Oopepods, salpm, and fish eggs were obtained in the sur- 
face net. At station 5062, 30^ fathoms, drift one-half a mile, the bottom also consisted 
of sand and dead shells, of which an entire dredge-load was secured, bur it seemed 
to be devoid of much life. At station 5063, 27 I'athoms, drift one-eighth of a mile, 
mud, sand, and broken shells, several small crabs and laucelets {Branchiostoma lance- 
olatum) were taken in the dredge. Station 5064 was in 24 fathoms, drift, one-eighth 
of a mile. The bottom was composed of soft mud, sand, and broken shells ; several 
