FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 
197 
formerly marketed in San Francisco, and is still transported to other places not so far 
distant from the grounds. Beds of oysters are quite widely distributed through the 
gulf, but comparatively little is known about them except in this vicinity. The beds 
of Algodones Lagoon have been discussed by Prof. Charles H. Gilbert and Mr. Charles 
H. Townsend. (F. C. 14, 15.) 
THE SOUTHERN CRUISE OF 1891. 
This important expedition, under the scientific direction of Prof. Alexander Agas- 
siz, occupied the three months from February to May, 1891, the area covered by the 
investigations lying off the western coast of Mexico and of Central and South America, 
between Cape San Francisco in the south and Guaymas in the north, and extending 
seaward to include the region about the Galapagos Islands. The biological and 
physical features of this region, as well as the contour and character of the bottom, 
except in the vicinity of the coast, were then almost entirely unknown, the Albatross 
having made only a few observations there during the voyage from Washington to 
San Francisco, while H. M. S. Challenger , during her famous expedition around the 
world, sailed directly from the Sandwich Islands to Chile and thence into the Atlantic 
Ocean. The inquiry, as planned, had reference mainly to the natural history and 
temperature of the deeper waters off the coast, at the bottom and surface, and also at 
intermediate depths. 
Beginning off Cape Mala near Panama, a line of stations was carried to Cocos 
Island, and then, with some deviation toward the south, to Malpelo Island, and back 
to Panama, while several short lines were run immediately outside of the 100-fathom 
curve. On the second cruise the steamer proceeded first to the vicinity of Cape San 
Francisco, thence to the Galapagos Islands, and from there to Acapulco. Subse- 
quently dredgings were made from off Cape Corrientes to Guaymas, in the Gulf of 
California. The greatest depth of water explored was 2,232 fathoms. Short stops were 
also made at the different islands lying in the course of the expedition for the purpose 
of studying the land and shallow-water animals and plants. While it was observed 
that the marine fauna of this region is not so rich as that occupying the corresponding 
waters off the east side of the continent, very large collections were secured, and the 
general results obtained are of great importance. 
One of the most important outcomes of the expedition has been the determination 
by Prof. Agassiz, through the instrumentality of a new form of intermediate towing 
net devised by Capt. Tanner, of the vertical distribution of the surface pelagic fauna, 
which he considers to descend only to a depth of about 200 fathoms. Some forms 
among the bottom animals may work up a distance of several fathoms, but between 
these levels in the open sea he found no evidences of life. Regarding this subject 
there are still some differences of opinion among explorers, and further investigations 
will be awaited with much interest. As a solution of the problem will probably have 
some bearing upon the study of the habits of pelagic fishes, the practical importance 
of continuing the experiments can readily be appreciated. 
Detailed accounts of this expedition have been given by Commander Tanner and 
Prof. Agassiz (F. C. 9, 17 and 18). 
