296 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Fishing. — At the first station on this line, 5083 (trial 11), exceedingly good results 
were obtained. The depth was 15 fathoms ; bottom, black gravel, broken shells and 
coral, but verj^ little life being taken in the dredge. The fish captured were thirty- 
two red snappers and two red groupers, the former averaging 25 inches, the latter 27 
inches in length. Captain Adams considers that this locality promises good fishing. 
In seeking this position, and when half a mile north of it, a line was put over to 
ascertain the depth. One grouper was taken on it, and four or five others followed it 
to the surface. No fish were caught, however, beyond this station to the end of the 
line. The weather was rather stormy and it was difficult to fish between stations. 
Had it been smoother, some fish might have been taken, but the experience has been 
that where fish occur they bite readily and quickly, and indications of them are found 
as soon as fishing begins. 
LINE F.— MARCH 11 TO 1(5 ; STATIONS 5091 TO 5096. 
Dredgings. — This line was made chiefly in about 25° 54' N. latitude and contained 
six dredgings, ranging from deep to shallow water, as follows : Station 5091, 49 fathoms, 
fine sand and broken shells, one small crab and a specimen of Rippa. Station 5092, 
31 fathoms, gravel, sand with black specks, and broken shells, a starfish, sea-urchin, 
crabs, shrimps, etc. Station 5093, 28 fathoms, sand with black specks, broken shells 
and coral, alcyonarians, ophiuraus, shrimi), etc. The towing net at this place secured 
jellyfishes, salpm, and a small fish at the surface. Station 5094, 25 fathoms, coarse 
gravel, broken shells, and a single specimen each of sponge, crab, and starfish. Cope- 
pods, salp®, small fishes and fish eggs were taken abundantly in the surface tow net. 
Station 5095, 20J fathoms, gray sandy mud, a shrimp, crab {Neptunns spinicarpiis), and 
a small eel, apparently Ophichthys pnnctifer, but too young to be positively identified. 
Station 5096, 16 fathoms, gray sandy mud with black specks, two specimens of a worm 
and two crabs (Munida). 
Fishing. — Line F was begun in a dei)th of 49 fathoms. The sea was rough, and 
no fish were caught, but a spotted porpoise {Prodelphinus plagiodon), measuring 6 feet 
10 inches long, was harpooned in the vicinity of station 5091. A school of about 
thirty of these porpoises had been playing around the bow. The indications for red 
snapper, however, were not favorable. 
March 12 the weather was too severe for continuing the dredging and the 
schooner lay at anchor in latitude 25° 52' N., longitude 83° 31' W., 40 fathoms, 
hard bottom. During the morning four red snappers, averaging 31J inches in length, 
and two black groupers, averaging 33 inches in length, were captured, and in the 
afternoon two red snappers, the length and weight of which were not ascertained. 
The fish appeared to be very abundant and could be felt biting at the hooks, but they 
did not hold on well, and only those above recorded were actually taken on board. 
During the night the schooner drifted about 2 miles northwest, bringing up in about 
latitude 25° 58' N., longitude 83° 30' W., depth 48 fathoms. On the morning of March 
13, one black grouper, 38 inches long, and one red snapper, 32 inches long, were cap- 
tured in this position. 
The next fish, three red snappers, averaging 24§ inches in length, were caught at 
station 5094 (trial 14), the depth being 25 fathoms, the bottom consisting of coarse 
