OFFSHORE FISHING GROUNDS OF GULF OF MEXICO. 
293 
pieces of sponge, a few crabs, and a nimber of lancelets were obtained. The bottom 
at station 6065, 19^- fathoms, drift one-tenth of a mile, consisted of hard sand and 
broken shells, a few worms being the only visible signs of life. At station 5066, 17 
fathoms, gravel and broken shells, together with a few specimens of Brancliiostoma 
wi re obtained from the bottom, while the surface net captured copepods, larval crabs, 
fish eggs, and young fish. The inner end of the line was reached at station 5067, 
depth 14^ fathoms, the bottom being hard. Broken shells and a few small shrimps 
were brought up in the dredge. 
Fishing. — Snappers and groupers were taken at only two places along this line 
(trials 7 and 8). A number of small sharks were seen alongside at station 5059 and 
one was captured. One flying fish was also observed. The fishing trials were unsuc- 
cessful at stations 5059 and 5060, and only one was made between those stations, as 
the wind was blowing strong. While at anchor on the evening of February 17, in the 
position of station 5061, 36 fathoms, sand arid shells, one red snapper, measuring 28 
inches, was caught and a number of bites were felt, but they may have been due to other 
fish. After leaving station 6061, trials with hand lines were made very close together, 
good bait (fresh snapper) being used, but without obtaining any fish, allhough the 
bottom seemed to be as favorable as on line A. Between stations 5061 and 5062 a 
school of six or eight porpoises {Prodelphinus plagiodon) played around the bow, and 
one male, measuring 6 feet 11 inches long, was harpooned. 
In the neighborhood of station 5064 the bottom was soft and sticky, with no indi- 
cations offish, and this continued some distance toward 5065. At the latter station, 
19J fathoms, hard sand and broken shells, groupers were plentiful, nine red and three 
black groupers being taken inside of fifteen minutes and also three red snappers, aver- 
aging a little over 23 inches in length. Four or five groupers at a time could be seen 
swimming up towards the surface. From this point to the end of line B no fish were 
obtained, although all the conditions seemed favorable to their existence. At station 
5067 a turtle and a large shark were seen at the surface. 
LINE C.— FEBRUARY 26 TO 28; STATIONS 5068 TO 5074. 
February 20, about 1 a. m., the anchor cable parted, due to a heavy chop sea, 
and the schooner was obliged to return to Key West for a new shackle. During the 
afternoon of that day, while proceeding southward, a large number of frigate mackerel 
{Auxis thazard) were caught by trolling from the stern, with a piece of white rag for 
bait. While returning to the fishing ground on February 25, a short visit was made 
to Marquesas Key, where shore collections were made. 
Dredgings. — Line 0 was in latitude 25° 23' to 25° 24' 30" K. and extended from a 
depth of 17 to one of 52 fathoms. Seven dredging stations were made, as follows: 
Ko. 5068, 17 fathoms, coarse gravel, with broken corals and shells, afforded several 
specimens of Brancliiostoma, worms, a small crab, and a bivalve mollusk [Tellina an- 
toni). Station 5069, 23 fathoms, soft gray sandy mud, gave a few small crustaceans 
and one Bregmaceros atlanticus. Station 5070, 26^ fathoms, hard sandy bottom with 
broken shells, the dredge also securing a small sponge, a small crab, and a hermit 
crab protected by a fragment of coral. Station 5071, 30 fathoms, fine gray sand, 
with black specks and broken shells, afforded several species of crustaceans and one 
sea urchin. Station 5072, 33J fathoms, sand and broken shells, algae, corals, sponges, 
