OFFSHORE FISHING GROUNDS OF GULF OF MEXICO. 
299 
a depth of 24 fathoms. It consisted of two red snappers and fourteen groupers (four 
red and ten black), the former averaging 29, the latter 34 inches in length. The fish 
"were very gamy and caught at the leads as well as at the baited hooks as soon as 
they touched bottom. Fishing was continued here about thirty minutes. No bites 
were felt along the remainder of the line. 
LINE J.— MARCH 23 TO 27; STATIONS 5119 TO 5124. 
Dredgings. — Six dredgings were made along an irregular line in latitude 26° 37' 
to latitude 26° 45' N., extending from deep water to shallow water, as follows : Station 
5119, 45 fathoms, coral, sand, and broken shells, algce, crinoids {Antedon), small crabs 
(Carpoportispapulosus), ascidians, mollnsks {Cardiumperamabilis, Dentalium laqueatum), 
and one small fish. Station 5120, 36 fathoms, fine sand, gravel, and broken shells, 
one ophiuran and two crabs [Platylmibrus serratus). Station 5121, 31 fathoms, coarse 
sand and corals. Station 5122, 28 fathoms, sand with black specks, broken shells, one 
small crab, and a starfish. The surface net was towed in the same vicinity, securing 
copepods, medusae, fish eggs, etc. Station 5123, 25J fathoms, gray sandy mud, broken 
shells. Station 5124, 19 fathoms, fine gray sand with black specks, and a single small 
crab. 
Fishing. — No success attended the trials for fish along this line and no traces were 
found of either red snappers or groupers. At 2:45 p. m.,on March 27, however, while 
on the way from the last station of the line, No. 5124, to Tamila, Florida, in about 
latitude 26° 52' N., depth 18 fathoms, both red snappers and groupers were observed 
in abundance. 
Near station 5119, a female spotted porpoise {Prodelphinus plagiodon) was har- 
pooned from a school of six that was i)laying about the vessel. She measured 7 feet 
in length and 3 feet 7 inches in circumference behind the pectorals. Her udders were 
full of milk, and she was accompanied by one young individual about half the size of 
the mother. Fragments of squids were found in her stomach. The skin and skeleton 
were prepared and sent to Washington. Two sharp-nosed skates were also taken at 
station 5122. 
VISIT TO TAMPA BAT AND RETURN TO KEY WEST. 
During March 28 the Grampus was under way bound to Tampa. In the morning 
many large schools of young herring were seen, pursued by about a dozen porpoises. 
One kingfisb (8comberomorus) was caught in the afternoon, and at night the schooner 
made Egmont light. She entered Tampa Bay the next day, and anchored off Gadsden’s 
Point, about 5 miles below Port Tamjia, where she was joined by Dr. Henshall. 
April 3, the seine was hauled on Gadsden’s Point and the following fish were 
obtained: Angel fish {Ohwtodiptertis faber), mullet {Mugil curenia), including the 
young about an inch long, gar fish ( Tylosurus marinus), sailors’ choice {Lagodon rhoni- 
boides), half beaks {Hemirhamphus unifasciatus), cyprinodonts, etc. 
April 4, the Grampus returned to Egmont Key, where a large number of small 
herring and a few other fish were seined on the shore. In leaving Tampa Bay, two 
large devil-fish {Manta birostris) and two flying fish were observed. The Tortugas 
were reached on the 7th and the schooner remained there until the 9th, during which 
time the seine was hauled several times on Garden Key and Bird Key. At the former 
