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BULEER TIM

FROM THE

LABORATORIES OF NATURAL HISTORY

OF DHE

STATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA.

4S aAViSONIA LY
JUN 9 1989
LIBRARIES

PUBLISHED

be AUTHORITY. OF THE, REGENTS:

IOWA CITY, IOWA:
JANUARY, 1895.

NARRATIVE AND
PVE EEMINARY. REP ORI) Or
BAHAMA EXPEDITION.

Bw

C2 Cy, NUE TENG:

Secretary Wa. J. Happock:

We take pleasure in submitting herewith Bulletins Nos. 1.
2. Volume III. from the Laboratories of Natural History,
State University of Iowa,

Tue Epirors.

PREFACE.

Tue following pages contain the history of an educationaf
and scientific experiment. That this history is deemed
worthy of publication is in itself a proof that the experiment
is considered a success, and the various letters of inquiry
which have been received by the author have been taken as
an indication of the interest which has attended the cruise of
the “Emily E. Johnson.” The narrative is intended to give
all the information drawn from our experience that would be
of benefit to any one who in future might desire to undertake
a similar cruise at the minimum of expense. To the zodlo-
gists who may read this account the writer desires to say
that he has endeavored to treat the faunze of the various.
regions visited from the standpoint of the general zodlogist
only, with a view to giving an idea of the facies of the collec-
tions from the several localities. The limitations imposed by
the somewhat meagre literature at the disposal of the writer,
as well as those necessitated by the routine of his official
work in connection with the University. must be a partial
excuse for the errors which the specialist will undoubtly find
in the identifications of the species noted. A fair degree of
accuracy in this respect is claimed only in the following gen-
eral groups, namely,—the birds; the insects, which have been
worked up by the various parties named on the last page of

the narrative; that part of the Crustacea which is being

al PREFACE.

reported on by Mr. James E. Benedict and Miss Mary J.
Rathbun, of the National Museum, who have kindly sent the
author the names of the species which he desired to mention;
and the Hydroida, a group for which the author is respon-
sible. The Echini and reef corals are probably identified
correctly. It is hoped that there is an approximately correct
naming of the greater part of the Mollusca. Concerning
the remaining groups the identification of species can not
be relied upon to any great extent. Practically no attempt
has been made to discuss the worms, actinians and sponges.

Species known to be new have not, with the exception of a
few hydroids, been described or figured.

The author is greatly indebted to Mr. H. F. Wickham for
constant assistance during the preparation of this narrative,
and in the necessary drudgery involved in proof reading, a
task which.has also been shared with Professor i. H.
McBride.

To my father, Dr. Rufus Nutting, | am indebted for the
unusually complete index at the end of this volume. The
illustrations are from the excellent series of photographs
taken by Mr. Gilbert L. Houser, and the pen-drawings by
Miss Mary F. Linder speak for themselves.

CC. Nurrine:

STATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA.

Fanuary 17th, 1895.

CHAPTER If
CHAPTER ie
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER Vi
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VIII.

APPENDIX A.
APPENDIX B.

INDEX,

CONTENTS:

PLANS AND EQUIPMENT,

From BALTIMORE TO EGG ISLAND, BAHAMAs,

EGG ISLAND AND THE BAHAMA BANKs,

HAVANA,

THE Dry TorTUuUGAsS,

KEY WEST AND THE POURTALES PLATEAU,

HARBOR ISLAND AND SPANISH WELLS,

LittrLe Cat ISLAND AND HOMEWARD Bounp,
List oF COMMISSARY STORES ACTUALLY USED,

DREDGING AND SHORE STATIONS,

PAGE

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION

CHAPTER I.
PLANS AND EQUIPMENT.

KNOWING, as we now do, the immense wealth of biological
material awaiting investigation in the depths of the sea, it is
hard to realize that this new world to science has been prac-
tically discovered and occupied during the last forty years.
It seems strange that the significant discoveries of Torell in
the waters of the far north, proving the existence at consider-
able depths of animals belonging to every group of inverte-
brates ordinarily found in shallow salt water, did not attract
more attention at the time of their announcement. Nearly ten
years later the two Sars, father and son, became interested in
deep sea forms of life, and accumulated a number of speci-
mens which were destined in time to fire the zeal of Sir
Wyville Thomson. The science which has since become
known as “ Thalassography”’ may have had its birth in the
mind of that grand zoologist when he went to Norway and
examined the Sars’ collection, in which he found much food
for reflection. As is usual with such men, reflection bore
fruit, and we next find him, in conjunction with his associate,
Dr. Carpenter, applying to the Admiralty, through the Council
of the Royal Society, “to place the means at our disposal to
go into the whole question of the physical and biological con-
ditions of the sea bottom in the neighborhood of the British
Islands.” The “ Lightning,” a “somewhat precarious little
gun-boat,” was placed at their disposal for two months. They
found that there was “ abundance of animal life at the bottom
of the sea, to a depth of six hundred fathoms at least, and that

bo

NATURAL History BULLETIN.

the life there was not confined to the more simply organized
animals, but “extended very irrespectively through all the
invertebrate classes, and even included some true bony fishes.”
Next a more suitable vessel was furnished by the Admiralty,
and the *“ Porcupine” in 1869 and 1870 carried the investiga-
tion of the sea bottom down toa depth of 2,435 fathoms, at
which depth a fair representation of animal life was found.

Having been so largely instrumental in opening up this
new field of scientific activity, Sir Wyville Thomson and his
colleagues were determined that “Great Britain should be
‘Mistress of the Seas’ in this as in other matters,” and pro-
ceeded to organize the most remarkable and successful under-
taking for the acquisition of knowledge concerning marine
physics and biology that the world has ever seen.

Through the influence of the Royal Society the Admiralty
was induced to send the “ Challenger” a spar-decked corvette
of 2,306 tons, on a four years’ cruise for the purpose of exam-
ining the physical and biological conditions in the great oceanic
basins of the globe. Sir Wyville Thomson was placed in
charge as director of the civilian scientific staff, consisting of
five eminent naturalists, besides the director himself.

The “ Challenger” Expedition marked a new era in marine
investigation. Notable as were the discoveries made during
the four years’ absence of the “Challenger,” the splendid
series of Reports, by which the results were laid before the
scientific world, will ever be the most imposing monument to
perpetuate the fame of the director and his associates, and
also an exhibit of the manner in which Her Majesty’s Govern-
ment completes work once undertaken.

Alexander Agassiz is to America what Sir Wyville Thom-
son was to England, in the domain of “ ‘Thalassography.”! In
1849, although but a boy, he accompanied his father, Profes-
sor Louis Agassiz, in the “ Bibb,” and in 1851 we find him
aiding his father in the survey of the Florida Reefs.

In 1867-8 Count Pourtalés made memorable discoveries

1‘*The need of some single word to express the science which treats of oceanic
basins has led to the construction of this term.’’—Agassiz.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION.

while dredging off the Florida Keys, and Agassiz reported
on a portion of the collection secured at that time. “And,”
says he, ‘“‘since that time I have been envaged, with little
interruption, more or less directly in deep sea work.” Under
his direction the “Blake,” a United States Coast Survey
steamer of 350 tons, made three cruises in 1877 to 1880,
which have been the means of demonstrating that we have
in the neighborhood of our own southern coast a field for
marine investigation which offers more attractions to. the
zoologist than any other in the world, with the possible
exception of the Japan Sea. The amount of material col-
lected, and the number of new species obtained, was in many
groups greater than was secured by the “ Challenger,” a much
larger vessel, equipped at greater expense. The Reports
from these cruises are contained in the Bulletins and Memoirs
from the Museum of Comparative Zoélogy at Cambridge.

Not the least important work done by Agassiz and _ his
associates has been in the line of improvements in instru-
ments for deep-water sounding and dredging Piano wire
has been introduced for sounding, and the expense and labor
of dredging in deep water have been amazingly reduced by
Agassiz’ introduction of iron instead of hemp rope, constitut-
ing, perhaps, the most important advance in method since
the birth of the science of thalassography.

The “Blake” was followed by the United States Fish
Commission steamer, the ** Albatross,” which is probably the
best equipped dredging vessel in existence. She has made
three cruises in the West Indies with Mr. James E. Benedict
as naturalist in charge, and is now at work in the Pacific.
The results of these cruises have not yet been worked up,
but an immense amount of material was secured.

These expeditions, with many others, only less notable,
have resulted in discoveries of immense importance to zodlog-
ical science. The classification of many groups of marine
invertebrates has been profoundly modified in order to accom-
modate the host of new species, genera. and even families,
which are now known to inhabit the deep waters of the globe

4 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

Teachers of zodlogy have found themselves almost bewil-
dered by the demolition of old classifications and the erecting
of new ones, often as incomprehensible to them as primeval
chaos. The original material collected by these expeditions
was placed, very properly, in the hands of the most noted
specialists in the various groups, and the scientific laity was
forced to be content with an exceedingly misty idea of these
multitudinous forms which have so thoroughly disturbed old-
fashioned classifications.’ The splendid monographs constitut-
ing the Challenger’ Reports are too expensive to be attain-
able save by the favored few, and so the average teacher of
zoology has been forced to content himself with placing
before his unfortunate pupils a succession of rearrangements
of zodlogical classifications. of which he himself can secure no
rational basis for comprehension.

Aside from the insects, by far the greater part of the
animal life of the globe is marine. Several of the great sub-
kingdoms are almost exclusively inhabitants of salt water.
The investigations carried on of late years in the deep sea
have probably more than doubled the number of known
marine species. It will thus be evident that all but a very few
naturalists and teachers of zodlogy have been deprived of the
opportunity of studying perhaps half of the forms a knowl-
edge of which is necessary to any broad understanding of
the subject of marine invertebrates.

When we come to consider the case of students in our
colleges and universities, the possibilities of their understand-
ing the relationships of marine animals seems remote indeed,
as under no circumstances, except at Harvard, Johns Hopkins
and a few other eastern institutions, have they access to any
considerable number of deep-water forms of life, and only in
isolated cases are they permitted to study these animals when
fresh from their native depths.
gave the

original impulse to the plan which culminated in the Bahama

It was such considerations as the above that

Biological Expedition from the State University of Lowa.
Western institutions are particularly hampered in_ their
attempts to impart zodlogical knowledge by the remoteness of

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 5

salt water, with its myriads of animal forms. No adequate
conception of zoology can be obtained without a study of
marine organisms, and the western teacher is sadly handi-
capped by the misfortune of geographical position.

Even where a tolerably fair representation of marine types
is included in museums, they are as a rule either dried and
distorted objects, or repulsive and shriveled specters of their
true selves, immersed in alcohol. Few forms are found in any
western museum in sufficient abundance to admit of dissection
in the class-room.

In the spring of 1888, the writer made a zoological recon-
naissance in the Bahama Islands, and obtained a vivid impres-
sion of the exceptional value of that region as a field for study.
Even with the most limited facilities, two months spent around
the coral reefs and shores is bound to result in an enthusiastic
appreciation of the great advantage of studying in such a
region, and a longing to place such advantages within the reach
of students who will use them aright.

In the fall of, 1891, the idea of the Bahama Expedition
began to take a more definite shape, and an organization of
those most interested in the project was effected. It was
decided that a vessel be chartered and fitted up for the use of
a party of twenty biological students and instructors during a
three months’ cruise in the West Indies. It was further
decided that this enterprise should differ materially from those
previously attempted, in the fact that provision would be
made, not only for the study of pelagic and shoal water forms,
but also for obtaining a fair idea of characteristic deep sea
types. It was a peculiarly unfortunate time to apply to the
University for financial aid, as all departments were almost
crippled on account of a recent cutting down of legislative
appropriations. In spite of the scarcity of funds, however,
there was much that the University could do to help along the
enterprise. It could give leave of absence to the necessary
instructors, furnish from its laboratories the microscopes and
other appliances requisite to good work in marine biology,
and provide a working library of reference from the general

6 Naturat History BuLLeETIN.

University library. President Schaeffer could, and did,
interest himself most efficiently in the enterprise, and secured
letters from our Department of State which proved of great
service in foreign ports. In addition to all this, a suthcient
amount of cash was squeezed out of meagre appropria-
tions to pay for the necessary appliances for dredging at a
considerable depth, and for the preservation and transporta-
tion of the collections.

As soon as the plan of this. expedition was announced,
applications for membership began coming in, and there
arose a question of considerable importance. Several young
ladies of excellent standing as students applied for member-
ship. After mature consideration, it was agreed that it
would be doing violence to the co-educational principles of
the University to deny privileges to competent ladies which
were accorded to young men.

This matter being settled, the organization of the expedi-
tion was soon effected, there being more applicants than
could be accommodated. The management was left to an
executive committee consisting of three professors of the-
University. Professor Samuel Calvin was to undertake all
preparations for the biological work in the field, including labo-
ratory supplies and material. ‘To Professor L. G. Weld was
entrusted the planning of appliances for effective work down
to at least one hundred fathoms, the matter of economy being
regarded as of prime importance. The selecting of a suitable
vessel, and the direction of all matters pertaining to the col-
lecting and preservation of specimens, was placed in charge
of the writer.

Owing to his appointment as State Geologist in the early
summer of 1892, Professor Calvin was obliged to relinquish
all hopes of accompanying the expedition, much to his and our
disappointment. He very kindly consented, however, to act
on the executive committee until the departure of the party,
and planned the very effective laboratory equipment which
added so much to the success and profit of the enterprise.
Professor Weld, also, found himself unable to accompany the

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 7

expedition, and for a time it looked as if the scheme was going
to pieces. Mr. William Powell ultimately filled Professor
Weld’s place, so far as seeing to the dredging equipment was
concerned. A commissary committee was appointed, with
instructor G. L. Houser as chairman, whose duty it was to
attend to the provisioning of the expedition, and later he had
charge of the equipment for laboratory work. This equipment
consisted essentially of twelve dissecting microscopes and ten
compound microscopes, provided with three-quarter and one-
fifth objectives, and a high grade Zeiss instrument with immer-
sion objectives, for any special investigation in which a good
instrument was necessary. A quantity of reagents, glass ware,
chemicals, dissecting tools, etc., was also provided. In addition
to these microscopes and their accessories, a good photographic
outfit was secured, with an abundant supply of films and dry
plates for hand and tripod cameras. Experience proved that a
much smaller number of microscopes would have been sufhi-
cient. It rarely happened that any considerable number of
the party made use of the instruments at the same time.
While we were dredging almost every one had his or her
specified duties to attend to, in the way of watching the
dredge, assorting or caring for the quantities of material com-
ing up with almost every haul, and making rough and hasty
notes of the specimens which seemed to be of the most
interest. Again, when we were in port, all hands were eager
to go on shore and see the characteristic sights of foreign
lands. <A half dozen compound microscopes would doubtless
have answered all requirements, and at the same time left
more room for other things.

Professor Weld had a difficult task before him in the plan-
ning of equipment which should come within the exceedingly
limited means at our disposal, and at the same time do effect-
ive work of a kind hitherto attempted only by government
vessels with equipment costing thousands of dollars.

Correspondence was entered into with various gentlemen
whose experience could help our cause. It is worthy of grate-
ful record that in every case the response was prompt, and the

5 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

desired information given with great care and courtesy.
Among those who kindly rendered aid in this direction were
Hon. Marshall McDonald, United States Commissioner of Fish
and Fisheries; Mr. James E. Benedict, who was naturalist in
charge of the “ Albatross ” during her first cruise in the West
Indies; Captain J. W. Collins, Commander of the United
States Sailing Dredger “ Grampus;” and especially Doctor
Alexander Agassiz, whose long experience as a naturalist in
charge of the various “ Blake’

?

expeditions in the West Indies
and Florida Keys made his advice of the utmost value. The
amount of trouble this gentleman took to help entire strangers
with detailed plans of equipment best suited to their wants,

was almost as astonishing as it was gratifying. He alone, of

all our kind advisers, thought Professor Weld’s plan of using
iron instead of hemp rope practicable. The others advised
the use of Italian hemp rope. The final adopting of the iron
instead of the hemp proved a most valuable and practical idea.
After once having used it,-we felt that the success of our
deep water work was assured. Of course iron rope had
already superseded hemp in deep-sea work with steamers:
but our vessel must necessarily be a sailing craft, and scien-
tific dredging had never before, so far as we could learn, been
attempted with iron ropes on a sail vessel. The many points
of superiority of iron over hemp will be noted further on.

It soon became evident that even the simplest sort of
donkey engine.for working the dredge was beyond our
means, and a device that could be worked by hand was
substituted. This consisted in a hoisting machine, technically
known as a * crab,” constructed after plans by Professor Weld.
It consisted essentially of a horizontal drum, fifteen inches in
diameter and thirty inches long, resting on a heavy iron
frame bolted to the deck. This drum was provided with a
single and double purchase for cranks, by which a sufhicient
degree of power could be applied to meet any demands
likely to be made upon the machine. The lowering of the
dredge was regulated by a powerful friction brake, which
kept the speed of the descending dredge under complete con-

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 9

trol. This simple machine was found to be entirely adequate
to meet all demands which were made upon it during the
cruise, and was constructed by the Yale & Towne Manufactur-
ing Company of Stamford, Connecticut, at a very reasonable
price. One thousand nine hundred and twenty feet of x 7
cast steel rope was purchased of John A. Roebling’s Sons &
Company, of Newark, New Jersey, the drum of the hoist-
ing machine being designed to comfortably accommodate that
length of cable. The single purchase only was used in hoist-

ing, unless the dredge hung on the bottom, when the double

purchase furnished enough power to bend the strongest
dredge frames used, or even the heavy iron bar of the
tangles. After leaving the bottom, the dredge or tangles
came up easily, the single purchase being used. We found
that a single haul, including lowering the dredge until all the
rope was out, dragging on the bottom for twenty-five
minutes, and reeling in again, usually took about an hour and
a half. Experience proved that four or five hauls of this
kind was about all that we cared to attend to in a day, and
even that amount was at first no child’s play, in tropical heat.

In order to have something to fall back upon, should the

J
/A,

inch Italian hemp rope was purchased of the Sewell & Day

iron rope prove a failure or be lost, 225 fathoms of 21

Cordage Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Although this
rope was never used for dredging, we found it useful,—indeed
indispensable,—in making tangles, our most effective instru-
ment, and actually used about half of this rope for that and
other incidental purposes, such as hanging the trawls, painters
for boats, etc.

The trawls and dredges were all made in the University
machine shop, by Mr. William Powell, an engineering stu-
dent who accompanied the expedition, and proved an exceed-
ingly useful member of the party. The trawl frames were
made after the “ Blake”! model, so far as shape is concerned,
but gas pipe was used as the easiest material to manage and
join securely. Agassiz says, “The trawl is by far the most

1 Agassiz, ‘‘ Three Cruises of the Blake,” page 26.

IO NatTurat History BULLETIN.

useful instrument in deeper water, where the bottom generally
consists of ooze or fine mud.” In our work we found the
bottom down to our deepest dredging, about two hundred and
sixty fathoms, almost invariably rock, and the trawl nets were
quickly demolished by the severe usage. It is evident that
the trawl can safely be omitted from the equipment of a ves-
sel, unless really deep dredgings (say five hundred fathoms )
are to be made.

The dredges were of two patterns. The “naturalist’s ’
dredge, for use in shallow water with row-boats or small sail-
boats, was made in three sizes, with the frames 15 by 6
inches, 18 by 8 inches, and 21 by toinches. The largest of
these sizes is small enough for any sail-boat work, and still
larger sizes would be better: for any but the smallest boats.
The “ Blake”! dredge has the advantage of a frame to pro-
tect the dredge net or bag. In both kinds of dredges it is
necessary to punch a series of small holes around the lower
edge of the frame, by means of which the dredge nets can be
seized to the frames.

Nets for dredges and trawls can be ordered in any dimen-
sions or size of mesh, or in any quantity, of the Gloucester
Net and Twine Company, of Boston, Massachusetts, whose
long experience enables them to understand the requirements
better than any other firm in this country, perhaps.*

In order to protect the dredge nets, it is necessary to make
a canvas bag for each, using good new canvas. (We used
second hand canvas, to our sorrow.) The mouth of the bag
should be as large as the outside of the dredge frame, to
which it is securely seized with marline. The bag should
be bottomless, so that the water can pass freely through the
dredge. It is surprising how soon this dredge covering will
be worn out and require renewal.

At the suggestion of Captain Flowers, we also took along a

1 Agassiz, ‘‘ Three Cruises of the Blake,” page 24, Fig. 22.

2So much difficulty was encountered in finding just where the various items of
equipment for marine dredging could be bought, that the author has decided to be ex-
plicit in such matters for the benefit of others who may desire to secure similar equip-
ment.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. aE Tt

small oyster dredge, such as is used in the Chesapeake. This
we found of excellent service on shallow, sandy bottom, such
as the Bahama Banks, but it will not do to use it on rocky
bottom, as the teeth get sucha firm grip on the rocks that
there is danger of disastrous breakage of some part of the °
dredging equipment. Such a dredge with the teeth broken out
would probably do good service if lined with netting, to prevent
the loss of the smaller and more delicate objects. No matter
what kind of dredge is used, it should be strongly built, and
hung so that it will “trip” before breaking the dredge rope.
This is effected by fastening only one of the iron arms of the
dredge frame directly to the dredge rope, the other arm being
lashed to the first by marline, which, when the dredge fouls
on the bottom, will usually break, allowing the dredge to be
extricated without breaking the dredge rope, involving a loss
both of dredge and rope. We found in practice that the
tendency is to underestimate the strength of the marline,
making the lashing so strong that the dredge frame itself
bends in order to slip by the obstruction, instead of the tension
being relieved by the breaking of the marline.

The necessity of heavily weighting the trawls and dredges
is obviated by use of the iron rope, which tends by its own
weight to take the dredge to the bottom. We found, how-
ever, that a forty or fifty pound weight attached a short
distance in front of the dredge facilitated matters consider-
ably, and usually insured successful hauls at the depth at
which we worked. When the “Blake” dredge is used, a
couple of twenty pound weights attached to the lower end of
the frame will tend to keep the front edge from digging into
the bottom. Lead weights at eight cents per pound are
rather expensive material for sinking dredges or tangles. If
any considerable amount of work is to be undertaken, it would
be cheaper in the end to have a number of castings made in
the shape of iron balls, with rings for lashings. These
could be provided in various sizes, and thus save considerable
expense. In spite of every precaution, a number of weights
will be lost. In using lead sinkers we were surprised to see

T2 NatTurAL History BULLETIN.

the rapidity with which they were worn away by scouring
over the sandy bottom.
In dredging, there is a tendency on the part of beginners to

5

use too little rope. It is best in the long run to be generous in
paying out the line, twice the amount needed to go straight
to the bottom being none too much as a general thing. The
oyster men have a saying to the effect that “the man with a
long line has the biggest pile by night.”

Perhaps three-fourths of our specimens from deep water
were brought up with the tangles. We found the bottom rocky
almost everywhere at depths of from sixty to two hundred
and sixty fathoms. Large patches of smooth bottom would
be encountered, but the peculiar jerking of the line, which is

soon recognized as the danger signal, indicating rocks and

5

trouble with trawl or dredge, was a frequent occurrence. so
that we were always uneasy until the dredge left the bottom.
The tangles are by far the most efhcient instrument for such
moderate depths, and we finally came to rely almost entirely
upon them. These tangles were made after a pattern
suggested by Mr. James E. Benedict, of the Smithsonian
Institution. A four foot length of one by two inch iron bar is
bent in the middle at nearly a right angle. Five iron rings
are bolted at regular intervals to the inner side of this bar.
The ends of five two foot lengths of chain are fastened to
these rings, and through each link is passed a six foot strand
of two and three-fourths inch Italian hemp rope. Each strand
is tied to the link at the middle, and then carefully unravelled
throughout its entire Jength on each side of the knot. There
are six such strands to each six foot length of the rope. The
dredging cable is attached by a hook to a ring bolted to the
outer side of angle bar. ‘ Mousing” should be placed over
the hook to keep it from slipping out of the ring when in use.
This tangle differs from that previously used, in the fact that
the bar is bent and not straight, and in the use of the chains
instead of fastening the ropes directly to the bar. This latter
feature we found to be an excellent one, as the chain weighted

the swabs sufficiently to insure their dragging closely to the

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. ae

‘

bottom. The angle in the bar, however, is rather a disadvan-
tage than otherwise, as it seems prone to cause the affair to
become securely wedged in between rocks, in which case a
tangle will foul quite as badly as a dredge, It is advisable to
provide a considerable number of extra tangle bars and a
quantity of suitable rope for the tangles, as the bars will often
be lost, in spite of every precaution, and the tangles will wear
out every two or three days, and have to be renewed. We
were advised to use o/d Italian hemp rope, and were told that
it made much more effective tangles than new rope. In
practice, however, we did not find any very perceptible differ-
ence, a fortunate thing for us, as the supply of old rope taken
was not sufficient for us to do our actual work.

Our sounding line was two hundred fathoms in length,
twelve thread, furnished by the Gloucester Net and Twine
Company, of Boston, Massachusetts. Not expecting to dredge
below one hundred fathoms, we thought this sufficient. In
fact, however, much of our work was done in water nearer
two hundred than one hundred fathoms, and we found our
line of little use. Soundings made by hand at such depths are
at best unreliable, owing to the currents and drift of the
vessel. Hence we were forced to depend largely on the
charts to estimate the depth before putting over the dredge,
which itself proved more reliable in indicating the depth than
did our sounding line. Our experience indicates that sound-
ing at any considerable depth cannot be managed with accu-
racy with an old-fashioned line and lead. Piano wire and
detachable sinkers are now used in all deep-sea work.
Another device which is used on many steamers records the
depth by barometric pressure, and can be used when the
vessel is under full headway. I do not know whether or not
this method has been used for very deep soundings.

For dredging it is necessary to provide some device for
carrylug the iron rope over the bulwarks without friction,
and hoisting the dredge high enough to clear the side of the
vessel. This was effected by stepping a dredging spar to
the foremast above the galley, so that it would swing aft of

14 NaTuRAL HistcRy BULLETIN.

the mast. The hoisting machine was placed about six feet in
front of the mainmast. The iron rope led from the reeling
drum to a twelve-inch iron block fastened to the centre of the
deck just aft of the galley, thence to a similar block hooked
to the ends of the dredging spar, and then overboard. When
in use the spar is guyed fore and aft so as to be practically im-
movable. These guys should be sufficiently strong to bear
the entire strain of the dredge line. Indeed, great strength
is necessary in all parts of the equipment when a sail-vessel is
used, as it is impossible to back, and the strain is something
terrible when the dredge suddenly fouls. This strain could
doubtless be materially lessened by the use of some sort of
accumulator, such as was used on the “ Blake.”! This does
not seem to be an actual necessity, however. for, as Alexander
Agassiz says, “the curve made by the wire rope, as it leads
from the vessel to the trawl, is of itself the best accumulator,
as a comparatively slight strain will constantly tend to change
the form of the catenary.” With the primitive dredging
equipment used by us, it is necessary for some one to guide
the line so that it will coil properly in reeling in under tension.
Our means of doing this was crude, but effective, consisting
of a strip of inch plank about four feet long, provided with a
slot through which the rope ran, by which it was kept from
slipping horizontally. The end of the board was placed on
the deck, and leverage exerted to the right or left, as the
reeling demanded.

Y Each day, when the dredge, trawl, or tangles were let
down for the first haul, the entire length of the iron rope
was oiled by hand, In addition to this, the whole coil was
thoroughly sopped with oil whenever it was dry.

In addition to the trawls, dredges, and tangles a number of
simple appliances were provided for surface and shoal water
collecting. Convenient and cheap dip nets can be secured by
purchasing crab nets at any sea-port, and replacing the net by
silk bolting cloth, cheese cloth, or mosquito netting, thus

securing a series of netting from the finest to a sufficiently

' Avassiz, “Three Cruises of the ‘Blake,’” page a1.

RACK UNOS

Winding in the Dredge. G.L. H.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 15

coarse mesh. Some of the crab nets should be left in the
rings as they are, for use in dipping up sea-weed, or large
objects of any kind. Surface nets should also be provided
for towing astern. They are essentially the same shape as
the dip nets, but the net itself is much longer, and the ring is
hung to a line instead of being attached to a long handle.
When a sail vessel is used, the surface work must be done
almost exclusively in small boats, as pelagic animals as a rule
come to the surface only during calms and at such times there
is, of course, no headway on a sailing vessel. The remaining
portions of the equipment can best be discussed in connection
with the description of the actual work of the expedition.

A matter of the most vital importance was the selection of
a suitable sailing master. It was essential that he should not
only be trustworthy in all matters pertaining to the navigation
and safety of the vessel, but acquainted with the general
features of the region to be visited, and perfectly familiar
with practical dredging with a sail vessel. Such a man was
found in the person of Captain Charles B. Flowers, with
whom the writer had sailed on his previous visit to the
Bahamas, during which time there was ample opportunity to
form an estimate of his abilities as a sailor and character as a
man. ‘That this estimate was entirely satisfactory is proved
by the fact that one of the first things attended to after the
“Bahama Expedition” was decided upon, was to write to
secure the services of Captain Flowers. His experience as a
practical oyster dredger in the Chesapeake during the winters,
and as skipper for Bahama fruiters during the summers for
many years, was exactly such as best to fit him for sailing
master on such a cruise as ours. The result proved that a
better selection could not have been made. He seemed to
meet every requirement with excellent judgment, and his
consummate skill in handling the vessel while dredging in
deep water was a constant source of remark to all on board.
It is simple justice to acknowledge that the success of our
enterprise, so far as deep water work is concerned, was due
very largely to his ability as a practical dredger.

16 NatTurRAL History BULLETIN.

The vessel selected for our cruise was a two masted, double
top-sail, centre-board schooner, the * Emily E. Johnson,” of
Baltimore, owned by Captain C. C. Paul. We were no less
fortunate in our selection of a vessel than in our choice of
sailing master. The “Emily E. Johnson” had a net tonnage
of 116 tons, was 95 feet long, with 26 feet beam, and with 7
feet depth of hold. The extra beam made her unusually
staunch and “dry” in rough weather. She had a small cabin
aft, into which four state-rooms and a toilet room opened.
This furnished excellent accommodations for the seven ladies
of our party. The vessel was solidly ballasted with pebbles,
most of which was placed well aft. Over the ballast a tongue
and groove flooring was put in. The hold was painted on the
sides, bulk-heads and sides of well, and white-washed over-
head. The after hatch was covered with a glass skylight
made of four sashes, all of which could be raised to admit air
when desired. Movable steps secured to hooks on either
side of the hatch led from the skylight into the hold.
Although the glass in these skylights was protected by iron
grating, and when necessary by stout reefing boards, every
pane but one was broken long before the cruise ended. The
hatch leaked badly, and, like most of the joiner work done by
a Baltimore firm in refitting the vessel, was botched, in spite
of the exorbitant prices demanded.

A series of shelves placed against the after bulk-head on
the starboard side accommodated the microscopes and other
laboratory instruments and supplies. A book-case was
extemporized by fitting shelves on the port side of the same
bulk-head, a door leading from the cabin to the hold being
between the “ library ” and “laboratory.”

A small, dark-room for photographic work was built on the
starboard side next the laboratory shelving. Eight bunks
were fitted along each side of the vessel, there being two
tiers of four each. These bunks were extra wide, and
furnished with good matresses. Cheese cloth curtains were
hung in front of the bunks, so that they could be concealed
when necessary. Two tables, each twenty feet long and four

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. iy)

feet broad, were placed under the after hatch, one on each
side. These tables were covered with white oil-cloth, and
were used for dining tables, and between meals for laboratory
work with the microscopes, or for writing or drawing. A
large lamp with a reflector was hung over each.

The stores were stowed forward. As-boxes and barrels
were emptied by the consumption of their contents, they were
refilled with specimens of natural history, which seemed to
accumulate just about as rapidly as the provisions were eaten.

The hold was thus made as comfortable as circumstances
would admit. Asa matter of fact, however, very little time
was spent below after we reached a tropical climate. The top
of the cabin made a commodious work table during the day,
and was usually occupied at-night by a double row of sleeping
men. When the vessel was at anchor, awnings were stretched
from the foremast to the stern, making a grateful shade
under which to study or to work.

The wisdom of commencing our preparations eighteen
months before the party sailed, became apparent as the time
drew near for the departure of the expedition. The number
of items which required consideration, and questions which
demanded decision, was astonishing. Meetings of the mem-
bers of the expedition were held from time to time, at which
reports from the various committees were presented and ques-
tions asked and discussed. Each member of the party heart-
ily attended to any duty assigned by the executive committee,
and willing hands made comparatively light work.

At the beginning of the collegiate year 1892-3, the members
of the party were organized as a regular University class, to
pursue studies preliminary to the work of the expedition.
Previous to that time the personnel of the party had been
practically determined. It was made a prerequisite to admis-
sion that the applicant should have demonstrated special apti-
tude for biological work.!

By this plan it became practicable to divide the party for

1 This rule was departed from in two cases only, when individuals were especially
adapted to be useful to the expedition,—in one case as an engineer, and in another as
a special correspondent.

is NatTurRAL History BULLETIN.

more effective work, giving each one a special group of marine
animals to study, it being understood that each person should
be prepared to care for and keep track of his or her special
group, when dredging or collecting was in progress. ‘This
method worked excellently, and resulted in larger and better
cared for collections, as well as more effective concentration
in the work of each member of the party.

ihe ““commissary committee,” mm -charce of Mir Gee
Houser, had by no means a light task before it in determining
the amount and variety of stores which would be needed. It
was decided to take a sufficient supply from Baltimore to last
through the entire cruise, as it would not do to take chances
in the matter of securing stores in out of the way ports. It
was estimated that twelve dollars per month for every person
on board would furnish good wholesome food in adequate
abundance and variety. ‘The result proved this estimate to be
very nearly correct. Mr. Houser has kindly furnished a list
of these supplies, amended so as to include changes which our
experience would suggest as desirable.!

An important item was the matter of transportation from
lowa City to Baltimore and return. We found that the Chi-
cago, Rock Island & Pacific, and the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
roads were inclined to be generous in the matter of rates, and
when the party went over their roads, it was treated with great
courtesy, and everything within reason was cheerfully and
voluntarily done to make the trip pleasant and comfortable.

Early in April, 1893, the writer went east to complete the
arrangements and have everything in readiness for the recep-
tion of the party on May 1st. Persistent rainy weather delayed
the painting of the vessel, and, as usual, various unforseen
complications arose at the last. In spite of these drawbacks,
however, the vessel was in readiness for occupancy in four days
after she was turned over tous. ‘The party arrived on the
evening of May 4th. The next day water was taken aboard
and stowed in the hold, twenty-seven barrels being the orig-
inal supply, and they were refilled three times during the

1See Appendix A.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 19

cruise. After a delay of several hours in getting our clear-
ance from the Custom House, on the account of the wariness
of the Spanish Consul in view of a reported revolution in
Cuba, the long looked for hour of departure arrived, and
the “ Bahama Expedition” set sail for Havana, its first port
of entry. The members of the party, as it was finally organ-
ized, were as follows:

Executive committee: Professor C. C. Nutting, instructors
G. L. Houser and H. F. Wickham. Members: Professor
M.F. Arey, State Normal, at Cedar Falls; Professor Steven
Stookey, of Coe College, Cedar Rapids; Professor Gilman
Drew, Oskaloosa; Mrs. H. F. Wickham, Mrs. Gilman Drew,
Doctor Leora Johnson, Miss Margaret Williams, Miss Bertha
Wilson, Miss Minnie Howe, Miss Edith Prouty, Messrs. A. G.
Barrett, E. G. Decker, Henry Ditzen, W. P. Powell, William
Larrabee, Jr., A. M. Rogers, Edwin Sabin, Webb Ballord.

The crew consisted of Captain Charles B. Flowers, mate
George Murrill, a cook, steward, and three ordinary seamen.

CHAPTER II.
FROM BALTIMORE TO EGG ISLAND, BAHAMAS.

It is doubtful if any skipper ever started on a three months’
cruise with a more inexperienced lot of ‘land-lubbers” than
Captain Charles Flowers had on board the “Emily E. John-
son,” as she was towed out into the stream on the evening of
May 5th, 1893. Only a small percentage of those on board,
aside from the crew, had ever so much as seen salt water
before. Everything pertaining to the sea, the vessel, and
marine life, was novel, and the more experienced members of
the party awaited developments with no little anxiety.

It would be hard to suggest a more severe test of character
than was involved in the necessary close quarters and mutual
forbearance and concessions of a three months’ cruise. From
the very nature of the case, the true character of each person
was bound to be manifest, and each viewed his companions as
they really were, and not as they simply seemed. The educa-
tional and disciplinary value of such a test, especially when,
as in this case, the results are creditable, can hardly be over-
estimated.

The sail down the Chesapeake was a delight to every one
on board, and it would have been pleasant to indolently enjoy
the beauties and novelties of the first few days; but there was
much that it was necessary to accomplish before getting to
sea, and work was commenced at once.

According to agreement, the assignment of work was left
to the executive committee, and it is a pleasure to state at the
commencement that the entire party promptly and efficiently
attended to the work assigned, and that the amount of grumb-
ling over obnoxious tasks was surprisingly small.

Some were put to work at unpacking and arranging the

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AND DREDGING STATIONS OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION,

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NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 21

microscopes and other laboratory material; others unpacked
the books and placed them on the shelves of the « Library,”
fitting a movable wooden bar in front of each row, so that no
movement of the vessel could displace the books. Before
leaving home, all of the larger and more expensive volumes,
such as the * Challenger” Reports and monographic works,
had been carefully covered with oil-cloth, lettered on the back
with white paint.

A convenient place was found under the cabin floor, for the
twenty-four ten gallon alcohol tanks, where they helped trim
the vessel and were safe from accident. Then the three
hundred fathoms of iron rope had to be reeled upon the drum
_of the dredging machine under tension, and at the same time
thoroughly oiled to prevent corroding in the sea air. All of
the stores had to be carefully re-stowed before we got out into
the Atlantic, a work accomplished under the superintendence
of the mate, who directed the young men in disposing of the
various packages so as to properly distribute the weight, and at
the same time be accessible when wanted.

Many of the party, although warned against it, had brought
along an excessive amount of baggage, which caused consider-
able annoyance before it was finally disposed of. In spite of
this, however, it was astonishing to see how satisfactorily the
baggage and stores were accomodated in the hold of the
‘Emily E. Johnson,” room being found for everything, leav-
ing sufficient space for comfortable sleeping, eating and work-
ing quarters.

Another matter of great importance was the appointment
of two committees. One of these, known as the “ steward’s
committee,” had in charge the matter of issuing supplies to
the cook, and looking out for any waste or loss of water or
provisions. It was the duty of this committee to know where
everything in the line of eatables was stowed, how much had
been consumed, and what quantity remained, at any given
time. It can readily be seen that, with such a long cruise
before us, it would not do to guess at the condition of the
stores, neither could any waste be tolerated.

Natural History BuLueETInN.

bo
to

Another committee was the “bill of fare committee,”
whose province it was to make out the daily bill of fare, using
the various articles of food so as to give as great a variety as
possible, and at the same time to make them ‘come out even,”
so far as practicable. It may be of interest to note that
throughout the cruise it was an actual fact that more provis-
ions were consumed each week than had been the preceding
week. The appetites of the party seemed to increase in a
compound ratio from first to last, so that a shortage seemed
imminent during the last few days.

These duties being successfully disposed of, considerable
time was left to enjoy the really delightful passage down
the Bay. The weather was bright and fairly warm for the sea-
son, and every passing sail or steamer was of interest to these
young men and women from the prairies. Indeed, a long
familiarity with the sea does not diminish the interest of a
thoughtful person in all that pertains to ships and shipping,
although the sea has lost a considerable proportion of its
romance with the advent of the ponderous machines, working
with the regularity of clock work, and almost regardless of
wind and waves, that have replaced the sailing craft of the
past. The modern traveler fails to catch the spirit of Old
Ocean, unless he has the hardihood to *“ go shipmates” with
some rough but congenial skipper on board a sailing vessel.

On Sunday morning, May 7th, the “Emily E. Johnson ”
passed between the capes, and was at last fairly atsea. The
wind was brisk and the white caps on, and, as might have
been anticipated, it was not long before the terrible and famil-
iar “* mal de mer” made itself apparent.

Although generally regarded with little concern except by
its victims, there is no doubt that this distressing complaint is
a fatal bar to any comfort in sea travel for perhaps a majority
of persons. ‘There seem to be no criteria by which one can
judge as to the likelihood of its attacking any particular indi-
vidual. The semi-invalid seems as apt to escape as the man
in the most robust health. The idea entertained by many
persons that, like the measles, a single attack of seasickness

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION.

bo
(o>)

exempts from further visitation, is without any foundation in
fact. The writer knows a sea captain who has followed the
sea for over fifty years, and suffers more or less from sea-
sickness every time he commences a voyage.

It seems evident that the cause of this complaint is not
understood, and equally evident that no cure is known,
although innumerable “ sure preventives” are given with the
most entire confidence. These means of avoiding seasickness
are often taken with such absolute assurance of their success,
that the downfall of the victim is all the more trying when it
does come. After considerable opportunity to observe the
workings of the various remedies proposed, I am of the opin-
ion that they are all equally useless. One thing is fairly evi-
dent, however, and that is, that the man or woman who keeps
on deck and in the open air, and makes a brave fight in spite
of his or her distress, will recover sooner than the one who
gives up to the malady and takes to his berth.

Of the twenty-one passengers on board the “ Emily E.
Johnson,” three escaped entirely; one had so slight an attack
as to be considered practically exempt; eleven were tempo-
rarily sick, —that is, they recovered within a week and were
not afterward incapacitated by seasickness; and six were more
or less affected all of the time when the vessel was at sea.
Two of the latter class were so distressingly afflicted by this
malady that thev were forced to leave the vessel at Key West.

Of the four who practically escaped, three were men of
good constitution and robust health, and one was a lady who
had been in rather poor health before starting.

Of the eleven who were temporarily sick, there were eight
gentlemen, all but one in robust health, and three ladies in
good health.

Of the six who were persistently sick, there were three
gentlemen in good health, and three ladies, one of whom was
in poor health.

In comparing the sexes, it would appear that the ladies as a
whole suffered somewhat more than the men, and that they
were more apt to be persistently affected.

24 NatTurRAL History BULLETIN.

One of the best proofs of Darwin’s moral greatness is the
fact that, during the voyage ot the “ Beagle,” he was always
seasick when the weather was at all rough, and yet had the
sublime force of character to keep constantly at work, accom-
plishing more in the way of collecting and observing than any
other naturalist has done in the same length of time.

On Monday, May 8th, the Gulf Stream was entered. The
wind having been high during the night, the water was decid-
edly “lumpy” in the morning, much to the distress of the
miserable seasick victims.

Sir Wyville Thomson! calls the Gulf Stream “one of the
most marvelous things in the ocean” and * probably the most
glorious natural phenomenon on the face of the earth.”? It
forms the subject of some of the most interesting chapters in
the modern science of thalassography.?

To quote from Sir Wyville Thomson’s “ Depths of the
Sea,” “Mr. Croll calculates the Gulf Stream as equal to a
stream of water fifty miles broad and a thousand feet deep,
flowing at a rate of four miles an hour; consequently convey-
ing 5,575,680,000,000 cubic feet of water per hour, or 133,-
816,320,000,000 cubic feet per day. This mass of water has
a mean temperature of 18° C. as it passes out of the Gulf,
and on its northern journey it is cooled down to 4°.5 C.
The total quantity of heat therefore transferred from the
equatorial regions per day amounts to something like 154,-
959,300,000,000,000,000 foot pounds.” This, he says, is
enough heat to equal the entire amount received from the sun
by the arctic regions.

It has been my fortune to cross the Gulf Stream ten times
between longitude 70° and 76° W. On at least six of these
occasions, the weather was decidedly squally, and on three
severe storms were encountered. Sailors always feel a decided
relief when they get across “the Gulf,” as it is called. This
great volume of warm water coming into cooler latitudes thus

1** Depths of the Sea,’ page 366.

2 Loc. cit. Chapter VIII.

3° Three Cruises of the Blake,” Chapter XI; ‘‘Voyage of the Challenger,” Atlan-
tic, Vol. I, Chapter 5. The condensed statements which follow are based on facts
taken from these sources, unless otherwise indicated.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION.

i)
(eal

creates atmospheric disturbances which are a constant source
of anxiety, and often of peril, to the sailor. The vast area of
warm water being covered by a thick stratum of warm air
constantly tending to rise and be replaced by the inrushing
cooler air from the edges, presents all the conditions favorable
to squalls of rain accompanied by wind, and frequent storms of
ereat severity, which, however, are not usually of long duration.

The edge of the Gulf Stream can always be distinguished,
especially the northwestern edge, by the long bands of sar-
easso weed that are stretched out along the “rip,” and mark
the exact edge of the stream. In calm weather this great
oceanic river is as clearly defined as if it flowed over the land,
the deep blue of the stream showing distinctly in contrast with
the dull green of the Atlantic. Ina dead calm the stream is
clearly discernible at a considerable distance, on account of the
difference in reflection on its surface from that of the surround-

ing water, the surface being always more or less broken on

8
2g
the Gulf Stream, even though perfectly smooth outside.

The surface temperature rarely rises above 89°, the general
temperature of the stream being about 81°. On one occa-
sion a large steamer was stopped so that her bows were out-
side, while her stern was inside the edge of the Gulf Stream.
Temperatures taken in the water at each end showed a varia-
tion of over twenty degrees within the length of the vessel.

This great oceanic river profoundly affects the distribution
of life and warmth over both shores of the Atlantic. England,
although on about the same latitude as Labrador, is blessed
with a mild climate and abundant moisture, while Labrador is
almost uninhabitable, one of the bleakest and most desolate
spots on earth. The Gulf Stream is the main, if not the only,
cause of this striking difference in climate between countries
approximately in the same latitude.

Corals of the reef building species grow luxuriantly around
the Bermuda Islands, which lie about six hundred miles east of
Charleston, South Carolina, this being the northernmost spot
on the globe where these species grow. The cold winds and
water from the north are here intercepted by the warm cur-

26 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

rent from the tropics, acting as an effectual barrier for the
protection of the sensitive coral polyps. Doctor J. Walter
Fewkes speaks of a Physalia which he found carried as far
north as the Bay of Fundy, where it was doubtless surprised
by the cold reception given it by the icy arctic current.

Numerous attempts at an explanation of the Gulf Stream
have been made. *Some have sought to explain it by the
different density of the water in polar and tropical regions;
others find its cause in the convexity of the earth’s surface,
and still others regard the trade winds as the prime agent in
causing the flow of the stream. However that may be, it is
evident that the great equatorial current splits itself on Cape
St. Roque, on the South American coast, one portion going
south along the Brazilian shores, and another flowing north-
ward to the Carribean Sea. Here it again breaks, part going
to the east of the Windward Islands, and the remainder, which
is ordinarily regarded as the source of the Gulf Stream proper.
banking up in the Gulf of Mexico by way of the Yucatan
Channel, the old Bahama Channel, and the Bemini Channel.
After swirling around in the Gulf of Mexico and becoming
greatly heated in the process, this great volume of warm water
finds an outlet, and scours along between Cuba and the
Florida Reefs, and then between the Bahamas and the penin-
sula of Florida, where it is concentrated into a stream about
forty-five miles wide, with a current of at least four knots per
hour. Pouring out of this channel it widens as it proceeds
northward and eastward, finally reaching the shores of Great
Britain and Northern Kurope, rendering habitable vast areas
of land which would otherwise be as bleak as Labrador. Sir
Wyville Thomson says, “I have seen no reason to modify
the opinion . . . .~ that the remarkable conditions of cli-
mate on the coasts of Northern Europe are due in a broad
sense solely to the Gulf Stream.”!

The beneficent work of this great hydrographic feature is
not confined to warming the northern shores of Europe. At
the very beginning of its course as the Gulf Stream, it has pre-

1 ‘* Depths of the Sea,” page 406.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 27

pared for the marine biologist a field for work perhaps not
excelled on the globe. Sweeping along the coast of Cuba on
the south, and over the Pourtalés Plateau off the Florida Keys,
it furnishes the conditions best suited to a profusion of marine
life, a slope leading off from a land mass and swept by a strong
steady current.

It does not seem to be necessary that such a current be of
warm water, however. The writer has seen as great pro-
fusion of marine life! in the Bay of Fundy, swept by an inrush
of the arctic current, as has been found anywhere beneath the
flow of the Gulf Stream.

It was while crossing this marine river that our first collect-
ing was done. The crab nets, with their long handles, proved
effective instruments for dipping up quantities of the sargasso
weed. A number of tubs were filled with sea water, and glass
jars were placed on the top of the cabin. The sea weed was
first immersed in the tubs, and the larger inhabitants picked
out. Then portions were placed in the glass jars for more

careful study.

Agassiz, in his interesting chapter on “ Pelagic Animals,”
gives a very complete account of the sargasso weed, and
mentions many of the animal frequenting it. Considerable
quantities of this interesting alga were encountered as we

crossed the Gulf Stream. Some of the specimens were in fruit.
The receptacles are on specially modified leaves, which they
cover in wart-shaped protuberances. The globular “ floats”
are so hard, and apparently solid, that one is surprised to find
them possessed of extraordinary buoyancy. After an immer-
sion of eight months in strong alcohol, these little globes still
float on the surface of the fluid with almost unimpaired buoy-
ancy, when an opportunity is given them. The writer once
saw great patches of this sea-weed, seemingly acres in extent,
about three hundred miles to the southeast of our present
course. This was more like the accounts of old writers than
is often seen, but even there the weed offered little impedi-

1 By this I mean the quantity of marine organisms, not number of species. Which is

far greater on the Pourta‘és Plateau, over which warm water sweeps.

2‘ Three Cruises 0: the Blake.’’ Volume I, page 209.

28 NaturAL History BULLETIN.

ment to a sailing vessel. The “ Sargasso Sea” itself is said to
equal the continent of Europe in extent, and lies between 20°
and 35° north latitude, and 30° and 60° west longitude.

The inhabitants of this gulf weed form an exceedingly
interesting subject for study, the following being especially
worthy of mention: The most characteristic fish is a little
Antennarius, which has become wonderfully adapted to life
among the sea-weed, and is one of the very best examples of
protective form and coloration that could be found. The fleshy
tags streaming from the rostral spine, dorsal fins and abdomen,
resemble very closely the ends of the young leaves of the sea-
weed, while the maculations of brown, white and olive assim1-
late perfectly with the brown stems blotched with white bry-
ozoa, and the olive of the leaves. It would be a sharp-eyed
bird indeed that could see the fish surrounded by a mass of
the sargasso weed. A still more wonderful adaptation to its
environment is found in the geniculated pectorals, which look
grotesquely like arms and hands, the terminal spines with
the membrane between them curiously resembling a hand
with widely spread fingers. These strangely modified firs
are capable of being used as grasping organs, wherewith the
fish can firmly cling to the stems of the plant.

A small alzstes, or ‘file fish,” was secured, characterized
by having one abdominal and three dorsal spines. A J/ono-
canthus of grotesque shape, with its enormous head and min-
ute mouth, was especially interesting on account of its greatly
developed rigid dorsal spine, which is strongly serrated.
This spine can be erected with a snap, or laid back almost out
of sight in a groove on the dorsal surface of the animal. A
little Dzodon, or “ porcupine fish,” was also taken with the
gulf weed, but seemed quite disinclined to give an exhibition
of its peculiar powers of inflating itself, and showing off its
bristling armature for our instruction.

All of the fish, it will be observed, were especially pro-
tected to meet the demands of their exceedingly exposed posi-
tion, the Anfennarius being passively protected by its form
and coloration, and the others aggressively protected by for-

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 29

midable spines, which would surely make themselves felt, upon
any attempt to swallow their possessors.

The crustaceans were no less interesting as examples of
protective coloration than were the fishes. Sir Wyville
Thomson says, “I know of no more perfect example of pro-
tective resemblance than is shown in the gulf weed fauna.
Animals drifting about on the surface of the sea with such
scanty cover as the single broken layer of the sea weed, must
be exposed to exceptional danger from the sharp-eyed sea
birds hovering above them, and from the hungry fishes search-
ing for prey beneath; but one and all of these creatures imi-
tate in such an extraordinary way, both in form and coloring,
their floating habitat, and consequently one another, that we
can well imagine their deceiving both the birds and the fishes.”

These crustacea, several of them, are characterized by pure
white, not simply livid, markings, in sharp contrast to brown
blotches, thus resembling the Avnfennarius, and the sea-weed,
with its growth of silvery white bryozoa.

The following species of crustacea were noted at this time:
Latreutes ensiferus, Palemon natator, Nautilograpsus minutus,
and Veptunus sayz. A small barnacle cf the genus Lepas
was found in great quantities on the sea weed. From the fact
that this species is quite conspicuous, it would seem that its
shell affords a sufficient protection against attack.

A minute gasteropod mollusk was secured, but has not yet
been identified. The most abundant mollusk, however, was
a nudibranchiate (Mendronotus), which furnished still another
excellent example of protective coloration, resembling as it did
the sea weed, the Anfennarzus, and the brachyuran au/?/o-
grapsus.

At that time and place but few birds were feeding on the
inhabitants of the sea weed, the only one at all abundant being
Wilson’s petrel, a species of “mother Carey’s chicken.”
But the sargasso weed, in the course of its extensive travels,
passes through localities swarming with sea birds, which ren-
der the special protective coloration exhibited by its inhabit-
ants of vital importance.

30 NatTurAL History BULLETIN.

Among the worms found on the sea weed, the most abund-
ant was a Sferorbrs, which thickly dotted the olive surface
with its minute spiral shells.

But the hydroids furnished the most interesting, or at least
most beautiful, animal forms found inhabiting the gulf weed.
Campanularians predominated, four very distinct species being
found, several of which seemed to be new. Fortunately the
reproductive buds, or gonophores, were present in each case.
Perhaps the most interesting campanularian was one character-
ized by its green color. This was the first green hydroid
which had been seen by any one on board; of course we except
the fresh water //ydra virid7s. A microscopic examination
showed that this color was apparently due to the presence of
chlorophyl, which seemed to be a part of the animal itself, as
in f/ydra virrd?s, and not an alga which is parasitic, such as is
described by Cienkowsky, Hertwig, Brandt and Geddes.! The
distribution of these chlorophyl bodies seemed to be uniform
throughout the bodies and tentacles of the hydranths, as well
as in the pedicels. Of course no physiological test was avail-
able to positively prove the nature of the green cells, but there
was no ocular difference discernible between them and true
chlorophyl bodies. The reproductive organs were enclosed
in flask-shaped gonangia, having a collar and lid. The
hydranth of this remarkable campanularian has a disk-shaped
proboscis borne on a short, rather slender pedicel, and sur-
rounded by twenty or more tentacles.

Of the remaining species, two are apparently new Cam-
panularia. One has a gonangium which is shaped like a
Chinese lantern and contains a single planoblast borne on a
blastostyle, and filling the entire gonangium. Obelia hyalina
is another very beautiful hydroid found at this time attached
to the gulf weed, its graceful branching form and triangular

oO

calicles making it particularly elegant in appearance. Two
species of plumularian hydroids were also found attached to
the sea weed, one being Aglaophenia minuta Fewkes, grow-
ing in the shape of delicate plumes, fairly covering the

1‘** Three Cruises of the Blake,’ page 214.

NARRATIVE oF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 2a

branches, leaves and spherical floats of the gulf weed. We
were greatly interested in watching the branching streams
of protoplasm issuing from the nematophores, which are so
characteristic of the Plumularidz. A small sertularian com-
pleted the list of hydroids found on the gulf weed at this time.

To sum up, the total list of animals which we collected,
which were leading a wandering life as they followed the

fortunes of the sargasso weed, was as follows: Fishes four,
crustaceans five, mollusks three, worms two, bryozoa one,
hydroids eight. — making twenty-three in all, and affording ‘a
study of great value to those whom the merciless seasickness
would allow to work.

On Tuesday, May goth, the wind was northeast and worked
around later to the east, the barometer sinking toward even-
ing. ‘The weather being squally, the vessel was kept under
reefed mainsail and foresail. The study of sea weed was con-
tinued by those well enough to care for it. The occupation
of dipping up the weed took the attention of some from their
distress, and doubtless hastened their recovery. The east
wind forced us to sail in the trough of the sea, and greatly
aggravated the rolling of the vessel, although the “ Emily ”
proved remarkably dry, more so than many much larger ves-
sels would have been under similar circumstances.

From this time until we reached Egg Island, the schooner
passed through large areas thickly dotted with Z7nerges mer-
curtus, a small thimble-shaped jelly-fish, which, with others,
has formed the basis of an interesting study by Dr. J.
Walter Fewkes. This afforded an excellent opportunity for
our students to become acquainted with the general structure
of the medusz, and a class was formed, microscopes being
brought up and used on the cabin top. With Dr. Fewkes’
excellent account before them, and an abundance of material
for dissection, a very satisfactory hour was spent with Znerges.

At night the brilliancy of the phosphorescence of the sea
claimed our attention. The dip nets were again brought into
requisition, when it was found that by far the greater part of
the phosphorescence was due to this same L7nerges.

NATURAL History BULLETIN.

Go
to

It was manifestly impracticable to do much studying at
night, as the motion was too great to admit of basins or dishes
of water being used on the tables in the hold, and there was
no available light on deck. Collecting of pelagic forms is
carried on at a serious disadvantage on a sailing vessel, as most
of these animals come to the surface only during calm weather,
and at such times the vessel has no headway, so that the tow
nets cannot be used, and skippers dislike to have the boats
leave the vessel during a calm, not knowing when a favorable
breeze may spring up. Thus it happened that the amount of
pelagic material secured by us was not nearly so great in pro-
portion to other forms, as is usually secured when steam
vessels are employed.

Wednesday, May roth, latitude 29° 50’, longitude 76°5'.
The weather was still inclined to be squally, and the vessel was
kept under reefed fore and mainsail.» About four o’clock p. m.
an ominous bank of black clouds appeared in the north, its
upper margin being regularly convex and clear cut, with a
fringe of white scud rolling on before. It came upon us with
appalling rapidity. Some of the young men proved of real
use in helping take in sail, the mainsail being too heavy and
bulky to be quickly managed by the crew. Their college
athletic training stood the young men in good stead, and they
gave effectual aid on this, as on many subsequent occasions
when prompt action was necessary. <A torrent of rain came
with the squall, anda furious wind, sending the rain with
stinging force into the faces of those who remained on deck.
The execrable joining in the sky-light over the main hatch
caused the water to pour in streams into the hold, although
our effects were so stowed that no damage was done beyond
making the hold exceedingly damp. It was, however, some-
what uncomfortable to have a stream of water trickling down
the back of one’s neck while at the table, as was the fate of
some whose places were unfortunately directly under the
hatch combing.

The squall gave rise to a heavy sea, and destroyed all com-
fort for the rest of the day. The seasick ones were made

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. aR

utterly wretched by the wallowing to which the * Emily ” now
abandoned herself. In justice to the unfortunates, however,
it must be said that they bore their trials stoically, and made
as little trouble as possible, although they doubtless thought
the romance of a life on the ocean wave a delusion. A trial
of the pumps showed that the vessel was remarkably tight,
not much more water coming up than had gone’down the
hatches.

Thursday, May 11th, latitude 28° 25,’ longitude 76° 5
A very “lumpy” sea was running all day, so that little could
be done on board in the way of study or work. Some of the
stores had become shifted in the hold, and a barrel of water
upset during the storm. It was no easy matter for the men,
most of them at least semi-seasick, to go into the hold and put
things to rights while the vessel was rolling so outrageously.

Attempts were made to secure specimens of the stormy
petrels flying about near the vessel. I have never seen one
caught with a pin-hook and thread, as is so often attempted;
neither can a net be handled so skilfully as to catch these ex-
pert flyers. The origin of the name “ mother Carey’s chicken,”
or “ Carey chicken” as the sailors call it, is unknown to the
writer, but they have a “ peep” almost exactly like that of a
young chicken. Their manner of treading water with out-
stretched wings and feet is highly amusing. On one occasion
I saw a large flock of these birds sound asleep on the water
in the daytime during a calm in the “ horse latitudes.”

Many flying-fish were seen during our outward passage,
and the students were interested in trying to solve the question
as to whether theirs’ is a true flight or not. There seems,
however, little room for doubt, as a careful observer can soon
convince himself, that these fish are capable of genuine, al-
though very limited, flight. The flutter of the large pectoral
fins which serve these animals as wings, is so rapid that it
takes close watching to detect it, but it is nevertheless evident.
It takes longer watching to satisfy the observer that the ani-
mal can rise in the air by this fin motion, independent of the
impetus with which it leaves the water, but this, also, seems to

34 NaTurRAL History BULLETIN.

be a fact. In the undulating flight of the fish the water is not
always touched on the ‘ dip.” Sometimes the vigorous flutter
of the fins lifts the animal when it does not touch the water at
all. The direction of flight can be suddenly changed without
contact with the water. These fish often fly aboard large
vessels, especially at night, when they seem to be attracted by
the lights. In one instance a man is said to have been knocked
down by being struck on the chest by a large specimen of this
species, and at another time enough flew aboard during a sin-
gle night to make a mess for the passengers of a Pacific Mail
steamer next morning.

A small squid was picked up on deck by the captain, having
probably been thrown on board by one cf the high seas run-
ning during the night.

Most of the seasick people seemed nearly over their troub-
les when the weather moderated somewhat about noon, and a
number set to work putting canvas covers over the dredges.
When they came to be used, however, it was found that the
canvas provided for the purpose was so rotten that it was
usually demolished during the first haul, exposing the nets to
wreck and ruin on the rocky bottom.

A tow-net was also put on a frame, such as was used on the
‘ Blake;” but the motion of the vessel was too great to admit
of its being used to any purpose at that time. In general we
found the din-net more serviceable than the drag-net.

About four o’clock in the afternoon a strong gale blew from
the eastward, and we were forced to lay to, not wishing to
unnecessarily risk our canvas, some of which was not so strong
as could have been desired. Of course this thing of lying to
ina gale and “ wallowing it out” is far from a comfortable
experience, especially to those not yet accustomed to the sea.

It seemed as if old Neptune was determined to show how
disagreeable he could make himself. It was not by any means
a bad thing, however, to have the sea do its worst in the way
of discomfort solely, as there was no danger, and thus get the
party in a proper frame of mind for enjoying its gentler moods,
which came afterward, and in abundance.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 35

Friday, May 12th, latitude 26° 3’, longitude 76° 49’. At
About seven A. M. the reefs were shaken out of the mainsail
for the first time since leaving the Chesapeake, and the light
sails were set. At ten A. m. the cry of “ Land ahoy!” proved
a most welcome one to those whose first experience at sea had
been, after all, a somewhat unreasonably rough one. The
land sighted was the northeast end of the island of Abaco, the
northernmost of the Bahama group. The accuracy of Captain
Flowers’ navigation, as well as that of his instruments, was

39
.

attested by this excellent “land fall Early that morning he
had announced that we would see land at about ten o’clock, and
his prophecy was verified to the letter. We had two quad-
rants on board, one for the captain’s use and another for the
use of those students who desired a little practice in the science
of navigation. The latter instrument, however, was faulty,
although it served very well for purposes of instruction. The
sea had calmed down until there was comparatively little
motion, and every one was in excellent spirits and developed
astonishing appetites, as might have been expected. During
the day we made the first set of tangles of Italian hemp
rope, as described on page 12, and hung our largest trawl net
on its gas-pipe frame. The mate proved of great service
in giving practical aid and suggestions in hanging our various
instruments for dredging. The novice finds himself pitifully
ignorant regarding the various peculiarities of rope, marline
and twine, as well as of the innumerable mysteries connected
with the “clove hitch,” “half hitch,” and scores of other
hitches and knots, each of which has its proper function in the
eyes of the “sailor man,” who may have little book learning,
but will make university professors feel exceedingly insignif:-
cant when it comes to tying knots and hanging dredges, trawls
and tangles.

In the afternoon the wind died down to an almost imper-
ceptible breeze, and the barometer fell to thirty degrees, the
lowest point reached during the outward voyage. On account
of this fact, as well as a general desire to land, we decided to
make Egg Island anchorage before night if possible. About

36 NatTurAL History BULLETIN.

noon the higher prominences of the island of Eleuthera
appeared in the south, and we were drifted toward them by an
almost imperceptible breeze. Egg Island light was made
about four Pp. M., and the white speck of a pilot’s sail was the
center of attraction, as it grew larger and larger, until the
little craft came alongside, and most of the party got their first
sight of the natives of the British West Indies. The pilots,
as usual, asked about three times the price which they were
willing to accept, but Captain Flowers had dealt with these
worthies for many years, and soon brought them to reasonable
terms, when one of their number clambered aboard, bringing
with him a supply of the famous Bahama straw hats, which
are the best possible head-gear for that climate, and cost only
a shilling (twelve cents) each.

The light breeze held until we rounded the west end of Egg

Island, and dropped anchor in the beautiful little harbor. ‘The
worst of the voyage was over at last.

CHAPTERMIE
EGG ISLAND AND THE BAHAMA BANKS.

Egg Island is the last outlier of Eleuthera to ‘the northwest,
and is situated, latitude 25° 30’, longitude 76°55’. Although
it was not measured, its area is probably not far from a square
mile. In its center is a large pond, or lagoon, which was
nearly dry at the time of our visit, but in 1888 I found it filled
with water, rendering a boat necessary to cross it. This
island is of importance to the world at large from the fact that
between it and Abaco is the passage from our eastern Coast
and Europe to Havana and the Florida Keys, the rapid cur-
rent of the Florida Straits between Great Bahama Island and
Little Bahama Bank on the one hand, and the Peninsula of
Florida on the other, rendering that passage impracticable for
sailing vessels.

For many years a single white house on the highest point
of the island was a noted “land fall” by day, and a light in
the window of the same house was all that warned the mar-
iner by night. Recently, however, the British government
has placed a small light-house by the side of the old house,
and now a light-keeper is regularly employed, and this im-
portant point is shorn of most of its dangers.

After dropping anchor off Egg Island on the evening of
the 12th, one of the boats was lowered and a number of the
men went ashore for their first swim in tropical waters.
Landing in a little cove hemmed in by a coral sand _ beach,
they were soon luxuriating in a delicious bath, with rustling
palms almost over their heads, and the soft swell of the rollers
around them. The seasickness and other discomforts of the
past week were forgotten as soon as land was sighted. One
of the few redeeming features, by the way, of this dreadful

NATURAL HistToRY BULLETIN.

io)
oe)

malady is the ease and completeness with which its terrors
are lost sight of as soon as relief comes.

That night there was a general overhauling of fire-arms
and other equipment for land work. Guns which had been
put away dry and new, covered thickly with oil, were found
to be rusted a bright red all over the metal work. Our
experience proved that eternal vigilance is the price of even
a measurably clean gun, and that in spite of the most scru-
pulous attention they are bound to rust more or less in the
sea air. When a weapon is laid away for several days, it is
advisable to plug up both ends of the barrels with a wad of
cotton oiled with porpoise or some equally good animal oil.

The ornithologists overhauled their kits of tools, the bota-
nists got out their collecting cans, note books and presses,
and the entomologists unpacked their nets and collecting
bottles, in eager anticipation of their first field day in the
Bahamas.

The morning of May 13th dawned clear and beautiful.
The scene from the anchorage was gratefully quiet and rest-
ful after the continuous tossing of the past eight days. The
rising sun was flecking the ripples with fire, while the
delicious morning breeze gently waved the fronds of the
cocoanut palms which lined the adjacent beach. The water
around the vessel was clear as only Bahama waters can be,
and the crabs could be distinctly seen crawling among the
algw at the bottom, eighteen feet below the surface.

After an early breakfast, the members of the party were
assigned work for the day. One boat-load was dispatched
to Little Egg Island, a rocky reef near the entrance to the
harbor, where the numerous sea birds were seen circling
around, indicating a promising rookery. Another party was
detailed to work up the larger Egg Island, where they
beached the boat in the little cove right under the cocoanut
palms.

A path led to an empty sugar house, in which was a tank
of fresh water, rather better than is usually found in the

Bahamas. There being no streams in these islands, the in-

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 39

habitants have to depend entirely upon the rain-fall for their
water supply, unless they are content with the exceedingly
brackish water found in the so-called “« wells.” The principal
products of the island seemed to be cocoanuts and manilla
plants. The immensely tall, flowering stalks of the latter we
had taken in the distance for trees, the stems being fifteen or
twenty feet high, crowned with graceful fronds of leaves some-
what resembling oak leaves, under which were clustered the
clumps of fruit, resembling miniature cocoanuts. The bay-
onet-like leaves, radiating in every direction from the surface
of the ground, proved hard to penetrate, as they easily pierced
any clothing and seemed capable of penetrating side leather.

A large palm grove near the shore had lately been sadly
damaged by fire, the beauty of these picturesque trees being
marred by blackened trunks and charred leaves.

The view from the foot of the light-house is one of the
most superb bits of marine coloring imaginable. At one’s
feet stretches a reach of dazzling white coral beach, relieved
by a fringe of glistening palm leaves. Beyond, the water
exhibits a wealth of color absolutely amazing in its weird and
bizarre contrasts, the purest of nile green alternating with
intense purple, and mottled with a bewildering jumble of
browns, pinks and terra cottas, flecked here and there with
snowy white-caps; still further out is the intense blue of the
deep sea, a blue never seen in northern waters, the blue of
stained glass, pure, deep, translucent. The clouds over these
waters present colors seldom or never seen in northern regions,
a decided purple being the dominant hue.

Mr. Pindar, the light-keeper, proved a hospitable host, and
gave us a good deal of interesting information concerning
the island and its products. The ends were deftly sliced off a
number of green cocoanuts, and several of the party had their
first taste of cocoanut water as used by the natives of the trop-
ics the world over. The water is taken from green nuts,
each yielding from half a pint to a pint of perfectly clear,
sparkling, slightly sweetish liquid. Many persons do not rel-
ish it at first, but a taste for it is readily acquired. Being per-

40 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

fectly pure and healthful, it can be used as freely as spring
water, and without fear of bad results.

The ladies of our party were greatly interested in the house-
hold arrangements of this ‘“* Robinson Crusoe,” who lives
alone with his old father on Egg Island. ‘This house, like all
others in the Bahamas, was scrupulously neat and clean.
Indeed, where there is neither dust nor mud, on account of the
island being composed of coral rock and pure white coral
sand, it is much easier to be cleanly than otherwise.

The ornithologists found it hot work penetrating the thick-
ets of wiry bushes which cover the greater part of the island.
One of the greatest obstacles to collecting in such regions is
the difficulty of finding a bird after it is shot. A majority of
the land birds are small, of course, and falling into the dense
thickets perhaps half of them are lost, unless the collector is
possessed of both experience and patience. A very good
aid in this kind of work is the auxiliary barrel, such as was
formerly made by the American Arms Company, of Boston.
This barrel fits into the bore of a breech-loader, having an
extractor which is worked by the extractor of the gun, and
carrying a thirty-eight calibre blank cartridge, which is shoved
in after a pledget of cotton and a small charge of dust shot.
Equipped with this ingenious device, the writer has collected
with gratifying results in the thickest jungles of tropical
America, where small birds could be shot at a distance of four
or five yards without material damage, and almost invariably
found after being dropped.

Messrs. E. G. Decker and Webb Ballord, who undertook
the ornithological collecting for the expedition, put in a good
day’s work, securing a fair representation of the avifauna of
the island, their collection embracing the following species:

Sterna anesthetus Scop., bridled tern; Sterna dougalli
Montag., roseate tern; Awous stolidus Linn., noddy tern;
Tringa minutilla Vieill., least sandpiper; “egzalitrs welsonea
rufinucha Ridg., rufous-naped plover; <#gvalit7s semizpal-
mata Bonap., semipalmate plover; Columbigallina passerina
Linn., ground dove; M/yearchus lucaysiensis Bryant, Bahama

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 41

flycatcher; Awethera bicolor Linn., grass finch; Loxzg7lla vio-
lacea Linn., grosbeak; Vereo altiloguus barbatulus Cab., black-
whiskered vireo; Certhiola bahamensis Reich., Bahama honey
creeper; JZimus gundlachii Cab., Bahama mockingbird.

Out of seven species of land birds collected, it will be noticed
that only one, the ground dove, is a North American form.

“The most striking feature of the insect fauna of Egg
Island appears to be the great prevalence of spiders (which
are of course carnivorous in habit), combined with the apparent
absence of any adephagous Coleoptera. Nearly all of the few
beetles taken were species that afterwards proved to be of
quite extended distribution in the Bahama Islands, and almost
without exception either phytophagous or lignivorous. Among
the weevils the most common species is an Ar/7fus near flor7-
danus Horn; several specimens of Pachneus opalus Oliv., a
very fine green species about half an inch in length, were
taken. Search on the beach under seaweed revealed a few
specimens of species usually found in*such places and belong-
ing to the genera Cafius and Phaleria. The bulk of the
captures consisted, however, of inconspicuous Hemiptera and
Coleoptera, which were beaten from leaves in the dense
brush.”

Toward the middle of the day, the heat became somewhat
oppressive, although the thermometer registered only 78° in
the hold of the schooner. The whiteness of the coral sand
was so glaring as to be painful to the eyes. A rocky point
juts into the cove from one side, the rock being worn into
Various fantastic shapes with numerous pot-holes containing
small tide- pools, and forming excellent collecting grounds.
Quantities of gasteropods were found in these pools, the most
abundant species being :*

Littorina lineata, Littorina lineata var.angulifera, Teclarius
nodulosus, Nerita tessellata, Purpura hemastoma, Strophia
glans, Fissurella sp., and a large Chzton, which was par-

1 For this, as for all other entomological notes, the author is indebtedto Mr. H. F.

Wickham, of the State University of lowa.

»

2 For the identification of most of the Mollusca here mentioned, the author is
indebted to the kindness of Mr. B. Shimek, of the State University of Iowa.

42 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

ticularly abundant, most of the individuals apparently spawn-
ing. It was no easy matter to detach these Chitons from the
rocks, if they were given time to use their wonderful powers
of adhesion. If taken unawares, however, they could be
easily and quickly removed. The shells of nearly, if not
quite, all of the species of gasteropods furnished homes for
minute hermit crabs, S¢rophia glans and Cerithium being
favorite abodes for these most persistent of homesteaders.
Some of these hermits seem to be in a fair way to become as
terrestrial in their habits as the land crabs of the Bahamas.
The writer has found them considerable distances from the
water on the highest parts of some of the rocky islets near
Spanish Wells, Bahamas.

The modification of the chele to serve as an operculum for
the individual shell chosen as a domicile, is a good instance of
what might be called the plasticity of the organism. It would
be interesting to make a study of this matter with a view to
ascertaining whether there is any tendency to inherit this
peculiar class of acquired characters, and thus adduce an argu-
ment for the Neo-Darwinian or Neo-Lamarckian school, as the
case may be. Another striking fact concerning these crus-
taceans is the brilliant color of the chela, which are about as
conspicuous as they could be made, as if the economy in color
on the rest of the body was compensated for by a concentra-
tion of pigment on the only exposed parts of the animal.

The botanists noted the following land plants on Egg
Island.

1 In a first view of Egg Island, the two most striking rep-
resentatives of its flora are the cocoa palms and the agave, or
American aloe plant. The characteristics of the former are
well known. Their trunks are often very crooked, bent in the
most fantastic shapes, and in color are striped alternately pale
ashen grey and dark, almost black. They are endogenous
and bear at the summit of the stem the great cluster of mam-
moth feather-like fronds. A leaf is unfolded from its coarsely

1 Miss Bertha Wilson has kindly furnished the following list of plants. It must be
remembered that this narrative does not enter the province of a Report, and only notes
a few of the characteristic forms of each locality visited,

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 43

reticulated fiber-like envelope about once a month, and a large
spadix of small cream colored flowers disclosed. On the same
tree one may see every gradation of development, from the
budded blooms at the top to the ripened nut lower down. The
nuts hang in clusters by stems about as thick as a lead pencil.

«The agaves or ‘pita plants,’ as they are called by the
natives, are much like century plants in appearance. The
great sword-like fleshy leaves grow from four to seven feet in
length, and are tipped with a sharp thorn. The flower stalk
is from sixteen to eighteen feet high, and is called a < pole.’
We did not see it in bloom here. The fiber of the leaves is
used in the manufacture of cordage, a very paying industry to
the Bahamans. At Egg Island these striking plants were
along the shore, under the cocoa palms, in the

everywhere,
sandy, open places inland, and even springing among great
jagged masses of the coral formed rock. They are supposed
to be indigenous to the Bahamas, and occasionally are as pestit-
erous as weeds.

« Along the shores are the mangroves, with their glossy
leaves, and the sea grape, a shrub-like tree, with rigid spread-
ing branches, round cordate leaves, and long racemes of small
greenish flowers. It has a succulent violet calyx in which the
nuts are developed; hence the name, ‘sea-side grapes.’ The
berries are acid and pleasant to the taste. The wood dyes a
red color.

«As we proceed inland we find thick hedges of shrub lan-
tana four to seven feet high. It is sprinkled with its small
dense heads of white flowers, and makes the air redolent with
its sagey odor. Lantanas have run wild and have become as
uncontrollable as the rankest weeds.

“The Lippra, a small creeping relative of the Lantana,
grows near by in the sandy places. There are other coarse
and woody shrubs not yet identified,— one with a small white
star-shaped flower, nestling right in the axils of its small
leaves, glossy as holly, and its stems are bristling with long
sharp thorns. Still another has tiny bright green fleshy leaves,

scarcely one fourth of an inch long, springing in whorls along

44 NatTuRAL History BULLETIN.

the coarse woody stems, and spotted with the brightest of
small orange flowers. These and some others formed high,
almost impassable thickets, and over them trailed the moon-
flower, with its delicate, evanescent white blooms, and several
varieties of leguminose climbers, and a_ beautiful reddish
passion-flower.

«In the sardy, open places, bristled the prickly-pear cactus,
with its yellow flowers and globose fruits, and near these was
found one of the most beautiful of the Legwmznose, a trailing
pea-vine with showy lavender blossoms almost two inches long.
We also recognized many of our northern * weeds,’ — the ver-
vain, with its purple spikes, and the purslane, with its fleshy
leaves and quickly perishing yellow flowers; the Cafse//a,
or common shepherd’s purse; the So/anum, or night-shade,
with its starry flowers of white or lilac or pinkish, and round,
poisonous berries; a milk-weed, with pale greenish white
blossoms, and its near relative the Afocynem, or Indian hemp;
the showy Argemone mexicana, with prickly leaves like a
thistle and a flaring yellow flower; the spider-worts, with their
purple three parted flowers and grass-like leaves, and even the
pestiferous sand-burr. The composites are also represented.

«+ Among cultivated fruit trees were the lemon, lime, orange,
sapodilla, mango, papaw and guava.”

The party detailed to visit Litthe Egg Island returned with
abundant collections. Noddy and bridled terns were numer-
ous and tame. The former is known throughout the British
West Indies as the “egg bird,” and is far more abundant in
most regions than any other bird. Its rookeries are often
visited by the natives for the purpose of collecting the eggs,
which are fully as large as the diminutive excuse for a hen’s
egg usually found on these islands.

The coral rock of which this and all the other Bahama
Islands is composed, is worn and weathered into a bristling
array of sharp points, rendering walking a dangerous opera-
tion, and destroying the stoutest shoes in a remarkably short
time. The rocks generally overhang the water with jagged
points, making a troublesome landing for boats except in very

NARRATIVE oF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 45

still water. These overarching rocks are fairly alive on their
under surfaces with peculiarly hideous crabs, Grapsus macu-
latus Catesby,' called “ rock crabs” by the natives, but not the
rock crabs of our northern shores. These are remarkably
flattened forms with conspicuous stripes in regular patterns
over the carapace and appendages. The facility with which
they run along, clinging to the wzder surfaces of rocks, is
amazing. It is exceedingly difficult to catch them even witha
dip-net, so long as they are out of the water, but we found
that by forcing them to drop from the rocks they could be
scooped up with comparative ease.

The handsome gasteropod L7zonza pica is found in abund-
ance, clinging to the under side of these overarching rocks, and
most of the species found on the rocks in the cove at Egg
@ Island.

te

Island were also encountered on Little Eg

Six or eight species of serpent stars were collected here,
among which was.a remarkably..preity blue Offzothrix, an
exquisite object under the lens, with its glassy serrated spines
and beautifully colored disk. The genera Amphiura and
Amphiuma were also represented. Here, too, our students
first collected that striking but only too common sea-urchin
Diadema setosum, with its exceedingly long and sharp spines,
from which many a painful wound was received by our col-
lectors during the cruise.

Quite a number of Gorgonida were secured, the most con-
spicuous being the common sea-fan, /eh7prdigorgia flabellum.
It is hard to see what has prevented authors from separating
the red and yellow “varieties” of this gorgonian into two
species. The difference in color seems absolutely constant,
and there is also a marked difference in size, the purple form
being decidedly the larger on the average. A constant differ-
ence both in size and color would seem to be sufficient for spe-
cific distinction. It is also a fact worth noting that the two
varieties do not usually grow together, but in communities in
which one or the other is exclusively found or greatly pre-
dominates.

1 Miss Mary E. Rathbun, of the Smithsonian Institution, has very kindly identi-
fied most of the brachyuran crabs mentioned or figured in this narrative.

40 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

Plexaura dichotoma, Eunicea and Pterogorgia were also
secured. Good specimens of these with expanded polyps were
preserved by plunging the entire zoanthodeme, expanded, into
water as warm as could be borne by the hand. Plexaura
dichotoma is an excellent species for use in class work,
especially when fresh, the various characters of the family
Gorgonidz being well shown.

In the evening all who were able to handle a scalpel helped
to extricate the ornithologists from the difficulties which
they had brought upon themselves by their activity in collect-
ing during the day. The top of the cabin made an excellent
table for dissecting and skinning the birds.

Specimens collected in the tropics must be promptly attended
to. and never left over night, unless an ice-box is available.
We soon found that it would not. do to attempt any dissecting
below, as many specimens became tainted before they could
be disposed of.

Sunday, May 14th. Captain Flowers got the schooner
under way, bound for Havana via Stirrup Key, which bears.
west northwest from Ege Island, and marks the entrance to
the “ N. W. Providence Channel” of the charts. During the
entire cruise Sunday work was discouraged. When the
weather permitted, service was held at the usual hour in the
morning, and the remainder of the day was spent in reading,
writing and resting.

This Sabbath was a typical West Indian day, with a fair
wind, affording a “free sheet,” which was a delight after sail-
ing close-hauled for so long. ‘Hole in the Wall,” at the
southern extremity of Abaco, was sighted about noon, and at
six P. M. Stirrup Key was made, and the “ Emily” dropped
anchor for the night, Captain Flowers preferring daylight for
entering upon the “ Banks.”

The “ Great Bahama Bank” is a submerged plateau or sand
flat, extending westward from Andros Island and the numer-
ous islets of the Berry group, the greatest length being over
two hundred nautical miles, and the width south of Andros

over one hundred miles. The average width is about sixty

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 47

miles, giving a total area of something like twelve hundred
square miles. The depth of water over this area varies from
one to ten fathoms. All of our soundings on the * Banks ”
indicated a greater depth than was given by the chart, but our
soundings were not extensive enough to be of much perma-
nent value. On account of the shallow water, there is rarely
a very high sea running, and as good anchorage can be found
anywhere on the Banks, captains consider them the safest
place in case of severe storms, although the numerous rocks
and shoals in some parts are anything but reassuring to the
“navigator. The bottom is sandy, the sand being composed
largely of triturated shells and corals, covered in patches with
algze of various kinds, and a “ grass” which grows in tufts
and has long lanceolate leaves very much like certain swamp
grasses in the north. .

The color of the water on the Banks is usually a clear light
green, varied by dark purplish blotches, marking the presence
of alge or gorgonians. I have often noticed that wherever
this green water prevails in the Bahamas, the clouds take on
a rich purple hue. What causes this curious coloration of the
clouds is not known to me, but the fact is striking enough to
attract the attention of even the least observant persons.

It was while anchored on the Banks that we first saw
the Southern Cross, which we had not expected to be visible
at this latitude. Truth compels the remark that this cele-
brated constellation is not so striking an object as many sup-
pose. In fact, a number of northern star groups far surpass
it in splendor.

During the next three days the prevailing wind was so
nearly dead ahead that our progress was necessarily slow, and
we decided to take advantage of the opportunity afforded by
the shallow water of the Banks to secure some practice in
the use of our dredging equipment, so that the deep water
should not find us actual novices at the business. The dredg-
ing spar was therefore stepped to the foremast above the
galley, and the men assigned to the positions which they
were to occupy during the trip while dredging. A certain

NatTurRAL History BULLETIN.

(00)

4

one always attended to the friction brake when the dredge or
tangles was being lowered; others were assigned the duty of
putting over and taking in the dredge, and seeing that it was
started properly on its downward passage; others always
oiled the iron rope as it was unreeled for the first time each
day; others attended to the assorting and labeling of the
material as it came on deck and still others saw to it that
everything was properly cared for and set aside for study or
permanent preservation, either dry or in alcohol.

It will thus be seen that there was little chance for idleness
while active dredging was being prosecuted. Each one soon
became accustomed to his or her special duties, and the work
was carried on without confusion or friction.

Three instruments for collecting were employed while on
the “banks,” — the “Blake” dredge, the tangles, and an oys-
ter dredge, which Captain Flowers had brought along for
trial in this new capacity. This latter proved the best instru-
ment for work on the * Banks,” where the bottom was sandy
and free from rocks. Its teeth tore up the largest gorgonians
with ease, and everything in its path seemed to find a sure
destiny in the net. In the beautifully clear water of these seas
we could see just how our instruments acted as they passed
over the bottom, and could correct any defect in the way they
were hung or in the speed of the vessel.

The « Blake” dredges were covered with such poor canvas
that the nets became exposed after a short time, and we did
not find them so serviceable as they otherwise would have
been. ‘The tangles at once proved their usefulness, sweeping
up everything from minute corals and gasteropods to the solid
round Fchrnanthus, and even small coral heads. Strangely
enough, fish were not infrequently brought up on the tangles
and landed in good order on deck. No class of animals
encountered seemed able to evade the sweep of the long
swabs, and were it not for the difficulty of getting the speci-
mens clear of the hempen strands, nothing better in the way
of a collecting instrument could be desired. Asa usual thing
we kept two tangles at work, using them alternately and

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 49

clearing the specimens from one while the other was over the
side. In this way an astonishing amount of material was
sometimes collected during a favorable day.

That part of our equipment about which there seemed to be
the most doubt was the iron rope. It was claimed that it was
necessary to keep it constantly under tension, and that this
could not be done except by the use of a steam vessel and
hoisting apparatus. Asa matter of fact, it was bound to be
under tension all the time the dredge was overboard, the
weight of the dredge with its sinkers, and of the rope itself,
being adequate to give a sufficient amount of strain to secure
it against kinking, the thing most to be, feared. The only
danger, apparently, is in allowing the rope to pay out too fast,
thus forming a coil on the bottom, and an eventual kink.
This danger, however, is just as great where steam is used,
the dredge in either case being lowered by its own weight,
controlled by a friction brake.

The practical trial of our equipment worked entirely to our
satisfaction, and gave us good grounds for confidence in its
adequacy for dredging in deeper water. We soon saw that
there was little danger of kinking the rope if care was used in
not allowing the dredge to go down too rapidly, and that Cap-
tain Flowers was master of his vessel when it came to dredging.

We were greatly surprised at the number of specimens col-
lected on the “ Banks.” Indeedsthis region would amply re-
pay a careful investigation, as it supports an interesting assem-
blage of animal forms. The most striking fish was one clearly
allied to Ceratias uranoscopus (Murray), which was brought up
by the trawl of the “Challenger” from a depth of twenty-
four hundred fathoms. Our specimen, although closely allied
to the one secured by the “ Challenger,” differs in many matters
of detail. It is a more robust species, capable of still more
increasing its girth by distention of the abdomen, after the
manner of the Yodon. It is considerably larger than’ C.
uranoscopus, the length being five inches. The anterior spine
of the first dorsal is implanted right back of the margin of the
upper jaw, and is much shorter than in wranoscopus. It is

re) NatTurRAL History BULLETIN.

hinged so that the pear-shaped flesh-colored bulb can be hung
right above the large vertically cleft mouth, and thus serve as
a bait in securing prey, which seems to me a much more
reasonable explanation of this peculiar structure than to dis-
cover in it a ‘“sense-organ intended to give notice of the
approach of the prey.”! The animal has good eyes, situated
so as to be effective much further than this hypothetical sense-
organ. The two short fleshy tubercles forming the second
part of the first dorsal of wranoscopus are represented in our
species by two round, rather club-shaped spines, covered with
spiny skin, and lying flat upon the dorsal surface of the head
and body. ‘The ventral fins are small and thoracic in position,
while the pectorals are geniculate and ten rayed. It agrees
with wranoscopus in being laterally compressed, of a uniform
black color, gill openings at lower axils of pectorals, the
skin being covered with minute imbedded conical spines, in
the vertically cleft mouth, “fishing rod and bait,” dorsally
placed eyes, geniculation of pectorals and number of pectoral

rays. The animal was capable of great distention, assuming

5

an almost globular outline. It emitted a distinct grunt when
handled.

Among the other fishes secured at that time might be
mentioned a J/althus, or “ bat-fish,” an exceedingly grotesque
creature with long geniculate pectorals, flat body, and a fore-
head produced into a lumpy prominence reaching in front of
the mouth. The animal doubtless lives buried in the sand,
with nothing but its staring eyes to be seen. Its color would
assimilate well with the sandy bottom, and the warty dorsal
protuberances would still further deceive by a simulation of
small pebbles or worm castings.

A small flounder belonging to the genus £7¢ropus was
secured, having the eyes sinistral, the scales cycloid on the
blind side and ctenoid on the left. A species of J/onocanthus,
or ‘ file-fish,” was also secured.

Here, as elsewhere during our dredging operations, the
crustacea were constantly a source of wonder and interest.

1‘* Challenger’ Narrative, the Atlantic, Volume 2, page 68.

M. F. LINDER, DEL.

Crabs from Egg Island and Bahama Banks.

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3
Fig.

PANOPEUS HERBSTIIL M. Edw.

NEPTUNUS DEPRESSIFRONS.
ACT.2®A PALMERI. Rathbun.
PETROLISTHES SEXSPINOSUS.

Stm.

Gibbes.

-
> ows
ok a er 7a am
a | : Ss are
a 4 aa , yD) PR eee ee re
i) BS 2 : of , fs

ik Y)

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a

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ia

. : a.
a ’

iy te

oo

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: Ae 7 + i ee
Ten

er
th
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NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. OT

The grotesque forms which these animals assume can only be
appreciated when seen. Here is Nature’s art of protective
form and coloration carried to perfection. Scuttling among
the “ grass” might be seen a very strikingly marked species
of .Veptunus, which was conspicuous only after being brought
on board, its alternate olivaceous and light markings assimi-
lating perfectly with the grass and sand over which it crawls.
A very peculiarly ornamented species of Actea (A. palmeri
Rathbun) was secured, with the carapace and upper surface
of chela ornamented with regularly disposed round groups of
nodules, looking like sparsely distributed cobble-stones, be-
tween which a dense furry hair appears. ‘The legs are greatly
flattened, the chele sharp and dentated, while each ambula-
tory leg is provided with a horny claw at its distal extremity.

The genus P7/umnus was represented by an extremely
hairy species. P. cartbeus Desbonne and Schramm, with jet
black fingers to the chela, which were coarsely granulated.
Among the spider-like crabs, two species of J/acrocelomua
came up on the tangles, one of them being very closely allied
to C’. camptocera, with a triangular body, parallel rostral spines,
tubular eye sockets, and prominent spines on dorsal surface of
the carapace.

Massive sponges came aboard, fairly alive with crustacea of
various species. As might have been expected, specimens of
Dromidia antillensis Stimpson,were included, each covered with
its mass of sponge, and further protected by a coloration
exactly matching that of the sponge under which it lived. The
carapace, moreover, is covered with short, dense hair, giving a
splendid means of attachment to the sponge, which is still
further prevented from being lost by the pseudo-chela with
which the fourth and fifth pairs of legs are provided, these
latter being habitually carried over the back of the animal so
as to be available in holding on to the sponge.

But the strangest of all the strange crabs collected here was
a little fellow made to resemble a bit of shell so perfectly
that any one but the sharp-eyed young man who attended to

the crustacea would have been likely to overlook it altogether.

52 NaturAL History BULLETIN.

This is Cryptupodia concava Stimpson, having a triangular
carapace so concave on the dorsal surface as to resemble a bit
of shell, but with three prominent ridges meeting at a point
near the anterior margin of the carapace. The chela is long
and trigonal. When its various appendages are retracted,
only the closest inspection discloses the fact that this animal is
a crab at all, the real dorsal surface resembling the concave
surface of a piece of shell, a deception still further enhanced
by its color, which is whitish.

Among the macroura the only one which we will notice

great numbers in the

was an A/pheus, which occurred in
various water channels of the massive sponges. They were
pale brown in color, and like others of the genus were charac-
terized by the enormous chela, which is longer and heavier
than all the rest of the animal. A number of specimens of
this species were placed together in a glass jar, and every once
in a while a noise was heard resembling more than anything
else the cracking of thin glass under the pressure of freezing
water. The animals were taken out and placed in a tin dish,
but the noise still continued. Careful observation disclosed
the fact that this peculiar noise was made by the snapping
together of the two fingers of the great chela. How this par-
ticular sound could be produced by a substance so compara-
tively soft as these organs, is a mystery, This species seems
to be on the road to losing its eyes, these organs being com-
pletely overgrown by the rostrum, which seems to actually
press upon the upper surface of the eyes.

The above are only a few of the interesting crustacea
secured on the Great Bahama Banks, but they serve to show
what a delightful experience our naturalists enjoyed at this
time. About twenty-eight species of mollusca were collected,
while we were at work on the Banks, among which were
interesting species of Avzcula, Astralium,~ Cerithium and
Trivia. The most conspicuous Echinoderm was Pev/acevos
reliculatus, of which enormous specimens were secured, some
being too large to go into the collecting tubs. The dried
specimens of this star-fish usually seen in museums do not con-

M. F, LINDER, DEL.

Crustacea from Egg Island and Bahama

Fig.
Fig.
Fig.
Fig.
Fig.
Fig.

nPrwWnN

an

CRYPTOPODIA CONCAVA,

Ventral view of same.
ALPHEUS sp. X 3.

GRAPSUS MACULATUS.
PODOCHELA MACRODERA.,.

MACROCGELOMA

TRISPINOSA,

Catesby. x %.

Stimp. Dorsal view.

Stimp. x1¥%.

Latreille.

Banks.

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NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION.

=
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cn

vey any adequate idea of their real beauty when fresh from
the water, the most conspicuous having a deep red body-color,
relieved by the bright yellow blunt spines arranged in sym-
metrical patterns over the surface. Others present various
shades of red, deepening into a rich maroon, alternating with
orange and yellow. The natives of the Bahamas have a way
of preserving these specimens dried, and sell them so cheaply
that, for ordinary cabinet specimens, it hardly pays the scien-
tific collector to take the time to dry them, even if he knows
how to do so successfully.

A species of Archaster and one of -chenanthus were abund-
ant echinoderms. Of course quite an assemblage of serpent-
stars’ were secured. A haul is almost never made without
bringing up some of these animals, which appear to be practi-
‘cally omnipresent in West Indian waters. <A very prettily
marked little species of Ophzocantha was noticeable from the
fact that it uniformly possessed six rays, a not very common
feature in this group. Two species of Ofphiothrix were
secured, one of which had very large, jagged spines, thickly
matted over the entire dorsal surface of the disk. Al of the
ophiurans secured here were of small size, and not so abun-
dant as in other regions where we dredged.

Sea-urchins, curiously enough, were scarce on these flats,
although one would think the region particularly favorable to
this form of life. Achznanthus rosaceus was secured in abun-
dance. Like most of its relatives, it seems to flourish best on
a sandy bottom.

Gorgonians of various kinds were common. Hydroids of
several species were found clinging to all sorts of objects
brought up by the dredge. <A species of //alecium exhibited
a new style of gonangium for this family, the reproductive
calicles being oval and surmounted by a very conspicuous
acrocyst. The gonangia contain ova, and each acrocyst con-
tains a single developing medusa.

Another, a beautiful little campanularian, with tubular hydro-
thece, has a gonangium with regular corrugations, and a well
marked collar and lid. Three sertularians belonging to the

4 Natura History BULLETIN.

Cn

genus Desmoscyphus were found growing on the sea weed.
An interesting species of 7Zhuzarza was secured in abundance.
Its gonangia are bottle-shaped with small necks and everted
margins. These were among the largest reproductive cali-
cles which we encountered. Aelaophenra minuta Fewkes was
found with the corbula which very much resembles those of
Aglaophenia perforata Allman.

It was at this time also that our whole party enjoyed the
exceedingly rare privilege of seeing the zooids of Millepora
fully expanded. A fragment of this hydrocoralline, having
been brought up by the dredge, was placed in a jar of sea-water,
without any particular care being taken to avoid exposure to
the air or other shock. Knowing the difficulty with which the
zooids are said to be induced to expand, we were not expect-
ing to be thus highly favored, when a cursory examination of
the specimen showed a considerable portion of its surface to
be covered with what appeared to be fine white down. An
examination with the lens disclosed the fact that both the
gastrozoids and dactylozoids were fully and beautifully ex-
panded, and they remained so for nearly an hour. We did
not dare to disturb the specimen by transferring it to another
vessel for the purpose of placing it where it could be viewed
with the compound microscope. The characteristic features,
however, of the two kinds of zooids could be very well seen
with a Coddington lens, and they appeared to correspond
closely with the figures in Agassiz’ * Contributions to the
Natural History of the United States,” Volume 11, Plate xv.

On another occasion, while at the Dry Tortugas, we were
favored with a good view of expanded J//efora, although the
expansion was not so complete as at the time under considera-
tion. These J/*//epora are known throughout the English-
speaking regions of the West Indies and Florida Keys as
“pepper coral,” a name exceedingly appropriate in view of
the great stinging powers possessed by the animals.

At night, while crossing the Banks, we enjoyed the most
brilliant exhibition of phosphorescence that occurred during
the cruise. Every wave was flashing with light, and every

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 5

on

ripple luminous. The vessel seemed to be bathed in ghostly
flame, as the millions of light-emitting animals gave each its
quota to the display. Nothing is better calculated to impress
one with the infinite number of living things to which Old
Ocean yields home and livelihood. We found that here, as in
the Gulf Stream, the little thimble-shaped Lznerges mercurius
was the cause of the greater part of the luminosity, although
ctenophores, pelagic crustacea and JVocte/uca added greatly
to the general effect, while more than once we saw the ghostly
trail of what we took to be Pyrosoma, although the animal
was not secured.

The most brilliant phosphorescence seen during the voyage
of the ** Challenger ”’ was encountered in the Guinea current,
not far from the Cape Verde Islands. Sir Wyville Thomscn
says.! **The wake of the ship was an avenue of intense bright-
ness. It was easy to read the smallest print, sitting at the
after port in the cabin.” We saw no such brilliant effects as
this, but the writer has seen in the Gulf of Nicoya, on the
Pacific coast of Costa Rica, an equally intense display, dis-
tinctly lighting up the decks of a large steamer, and enabling
one to read at intervals the print of an ordinary newspaper.

The purpose of this phosphorescence is somewhat difficult
to explain on the supposition that it must be of use to its pos-
sessors. Verrill regards it as protective, at least among the
gorgonians where, he suggests, the light may act as a warn-
ing to predatory fishes. Doubtless it may be explained in
many instances as an aid to the sexes in finding each other at
night or in deep water. Again, it probably assists carnivo-
rous fishes and crustacea in discovering and capturing their
prey in deep water.

Until the physiology of the light-emitting organs in various
animals is better understood, it will perhaps be impossible to
do more than conjecture regarding their true significance.

On Tuesday, May 16th, no dredging was done, the wind
allowing us to make some headway on our course. Most of

1 Voyage of the ‘‘ Challenger,’ Atlantic, Volume 2, Page 71.

56 NatTurAt History BULLETIN.

the day was occupied in taking care of the material already
obtained.

Mr. James E. Benedict, of the Smithsonian, had suggested
a means by which alcoholic specimens could be saved in good
condition without using anything like the ordinary amount of
alcohol. His plan was to use large tin pans in pairs, the rim
of one being slightly wider than that of the other. The wide-
rimmed pan is filled with specimens which have been in alco-
hol for two or three days. The specimens are heaped up as
high as they can conveniently be placed, and then the pan
with the narrow rim is inverted over pan number one. The
rims are then carefully soldered together all around, so as to
be air-tight, and the specimens are safe for transportation, the
pans being much lighter, of course, than vessels of equal
capacity filled with alcohol in the old way.

We found this plan to work admirably to the great saving
of alcohol and weight. Large crinoids, especially, came
through in much better shape than if they had been allowed
to swash around in tanks. One important point, however,
should be remembered. The pans must be of good heavy tin
or they will rust through. Our collection suffered slightly
from the fact that part of our pans were of cheap tin, and
were rusted through before the end of the voyage. The dam-
age was not from the specimens drying or decomposing so
much as from the rust making unsightly spots upon the speci-
mens with which it came in contact.

We tried both square and round pans, but preferred the
latter when of good quality, because they are easier to solder
together than square pans, and are not so apt to leak from
careless workmanship. The pans, when filled, were crated
for transportation, in sets of five, but we found it necessary to
examine them occasionally, so that any leakage could be
stopped with solder.

On Wednesday, the 17th, a head wind again gave us an
excuse for dredging, with the result that many good speci-
mens were added to our collection. On the 18th and 1gth the
vessel was delayed by squally weather, although some head-

IT ~~

Near View of the Rookery, Water Key. G.L.H.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. i

cn

way was made, and the western edge of the Banks reached.
On the morning of Saturday, May 2oth, we found the Double
Headed Shot Cays in sight. Water Cay, the westernmost
and largest of these, is in latitude 24°, and longitude 80°, 15.’
Reading in the book of instructions that this island contained
a “natural well of excellent water,” we determined to cast
anchor and send a boat ashore, in hopes of refilling some of
our empty barrels. The captain, with praiseworthy caution,
anchored several miles out, thus necessitating a long and heavy
pull in a rough sea before we reached the Cay. ‘There is no
landing place for boats on the north side, but a little agility
will enable one to make a flying leap onto the jagged over-
hanging rocks with which the coast on this side is fringed.
We found the “ well of excellent water” to be a delusion as it
was almost unbearably brackish, although used by the native
spongers, who consider anything good that will sustain life.
The island is about two miles long and half a mile broad, and
is the home of countless sea-birds, particularly man o’ war-
birds, bridled and noddy terns. Both the latter species were
remarkably tame, the noddies in particular, being apparently
oblivious of our presence, and allowing themselves to be taken
from their nests by hand. A large number of the eggs of
both species were secured. Considerable quantities of gor-
gonians and sponges were found dried upon the rocks, having
probably been cast up by the waves, and then blown inward
by the wind. The rocks seem to be extensively excavated
beneath the centre of the island, and in several places were
openings through which the roar of the underlying sea could
be heard. Near the north shore was a picturesque amphi-
theatre carved in the coral rock, at the bottom of which was
a round pool of deep blue sea-water, in which many gor-
geous fish could be seen. The highest point of the rocks is
about fifty feet above the sea level. On the south side isa
very pretty stretch of sand beach around the margins of a
semi-circular cove, affording a good landing for boats.

Mr. Wickham furnishes the following note: ‘The three
hours’ work on Water Cay served to give an idea of the some-

5 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

wal

what limited insect fauna supported by this barren rock.
The space under loose stones which in more northern climates
would be occupied by numerous beetles of various species,
was here given over to hermit crabs, a number of which
would scurry away when the protecting cover was disturbed.
A single scorpion was seen, but escaped, and a species of
Phrynus was captured. No butterflies were seen, and only a
few inconspicuous moths, none of which were taken. Ants
were rather numerous, and some of the species appear not to
have been met with elsewhere during the trip. A Tabanid fly
was seen, and a few flesh flies were attracted by the carcasses
of birds shot for skinning.

« The coleoptera were not numerous eitherin specimens or
species, the most remarkable capture being a Cetoniid, which
I take to be Auphoria sepulchralis Fabr., though it is not
exactly like those found in the United States. It was at rest
under a spreading yellow-flowered plant, which grew quite
commonly wherever a little soil was to be found in hollows of
the rock. A Mordellid was beaten from another species of
plant (not then in flower, I think), and with it several speci-
mens of a minute black weevil, totally unlike anything with
which Iam acquainted, and a few Art7fus near floridanis.
The sea-weed along the beach covered a number of PAzlerza,
of course. They seem to occur on sandy sea-shores every-

”
where.

CHAPTER IW.

HAVANA.

Early on the morning of Sunday, May 21st, we found our-
selves in view of the Cuban coast, off the city of Matanzas,
back of which loomed high mountains, one raising its majestic
top, flat and massive, above the clouds which hung over the
island. All day long the « Emily E. Johnson” sailed along
this picturesque coast with a light but fair wind, just a little
more than holding her own against the strong current of the
Gulf Stream, which sweeps the coast at the rate of three, and
in places perhaps four, knots per hour. An occasional village
was seen nestling at the foot of the hills, each hamlet with its
inevitable church on the one hand and barracks on the other.

One who travels far from home is constantly reminded of
how little we realize the magnitude of countries, rivers, etc.,
of which we seldom hear. Few persons, for example, are
aware of the fact that the island of Cuba is over seven hun-
dred miles long, and that one could travel in a straight line,
theoretically at least, a distance equal to that from New York
City to eastern Illinois, or from New Orleans to Quincy, Illi-
nois, in going from one end of Cuba to the other.

As we neared Havana, the towns along the coast became
larger and more pretentious. Then came charming country
villas, where the aristocracy of Havana retreat from business
cares. ‘Telegraph lines, and perhaps telephones, connected
the metropolis with these suburban retreats. Finally the light-
house tower on Morro Castle loomed up in the misty atmos-
phere, and the long line of fortifications came into view.

As we neared the harbor entrance a little steam launch with
officials in uniform made its appearance off the point. <A
fierce and sudden rain squall drove them back, and sent the
** Emily ” several miles to the eastward and southward. The

60 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

squall over, we again made the harbor entrance, and this time
secured our pilot and passed a brief examination on the part
of the health-officer of the port,a courteous and affable gentle-
man, whose object in life seemed to be not to make himself
disagreeable in the course of official duty.

The setting sun gilded « El] Morro” as we passed its frown-
ing battlements and glided beneath the muzzles of its big guns.
This fortification is one of the most historic, as well as pictur-
esque, on the American Continent. It was built about three
hundred years ago, and has seen many a bloody drama in its
day. Report has it that within its walls the massacre of the
ill-fated men of the “ Virginius” took place. The massive
walls and turrets, the old bastions and lofty tower perched on
the top of the precipitous rocks, combine to make a scene
strangely like those of mediaval times.

Our captain was evidently loth to trust his vessel to a pilot
who didn’t know a word of English with which to direct a
crew that knew nothing else, but “el practico” brought us
safely inside the harbor, assigning us an anchorage opposite
the government wharves.

We had been told that the customs regulations were so
severe that it would be diflicult to avoid infringement of their
intricate requirements. We found, however, that there was
nothing unreasonable about them, so far as our business was
concerned. A distinctly polite official looked over our passen-
ger list and manifest, said a few pleasant words regarding our
trip, and left the vessel with the assurance that all was right
and we could go ashore whenever we liked. The pilot left us
a copy of the harbor regulations printed in several languages.
Some of these rules seemed a little severe, but all were evi-
dently for the common good, with a sufficient number of fines
attached to trivial offences to enable the Cuban Govern-
ment to secure some revenue thereby, provided the fines were
collected, which seems doubtful.

No one went ashore that night, but all enjoyed the loveli-
ness of the moon-light on deck. The electric lights of the
city, the music from the parks, the ghostly forms of the white

NARRATIVE oF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 61

cruisers, were all welcome signs of civilization to those who
had been cooped up on the * Emily” for a week since their
run on Egg Island. In the morning a chance was given us
to view this matchless harbor by daylight. To the north was
the distant entrance, guarded by “ El Morro;” on the east the
fortifications extended for miles, most of them, however, show-
ing considerable dilapidation; to the south were large ware-
houses and freight wharves, while to the west lay the city of
Havana, “Queen of the West Indies,” with its moss-covered
cathedral towers rising here and there over the level stretch
of buildings, which are low in comparison to those in northern
cities, few being over two or three stories high. Immediately
in front of us was a government wharf with a huge iron der-
rick, capable of lifting the mainmast out of a cruiser, and a
solid stone water-front, with steps for the use of naval officers
when they went ashore.

We had heard so much about the filth of Havana Harbor
that we naturally expected to be disgusted. On the contrary,
however, we saw less that was offensive than would have
been encountered in any harbor in the United States whose
shores accomodate so large a city. The whole water-front
was scrupulously clean, and devoted to public purposes instead
of being given over to the lowest and most wretched inhabit-
ants of the city, as is so often the case.

Three Spanish cruisers lay at anchor between us and the
city. They resembled miniature editions of our own * white
squadron.” Modern in every detail, even to machine and dyn-
amite guns, they looked to be no larger than a good many
private yachts, although doubtless admirably designed for the
purpose of cruising along the Cuban coast and suppressing
incipient rebellions, one of which was said to be under way at
the time of our visit.

It was somewhat of a disappointment to find that the
“‘Kmily E. Johnson” floated the only American flag in this
great harbor, with its forests of masts on hundreds of vessels.
We afterward made out some American schooners, but for
some reason they. neglected to show their colors We were

62 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

not allowed to enjoy this enchanting view for long, however,
for no sooner were we on deck than the vessel was besieged
by the “bungo” men. The bungo isa little boat with an awn-
ing over the after part, like that which marked the prairie
schooner of early days at home. There seem to be hundreds
of these little harbor craft, each with its vociferous boatman,
who evidently has the insistent methods of the cabman the
world over. He is allowed by law to charge twenty-five
cents in American money for conveying a passenger any-
where within the harbor. If he is dealing with a stranger,
however, the chances are that he will charge as much as he
thinks his patron can be bullied into paying. Having our
own boats and men, it was not necessary to patronize the
bungo man very extensively, much to his evident disgust.
The law required that our vessel be consigned to some resi-
dent firm or business man, and the representative of the firm
of Gonzales & Co. came off in a pretty steam launch to take
the captain and manager ashore. We had letters from the
United States Secretary of State to the Hon. Ramon Williams,
Consul General to Cuba, instructing him to aid our cause and
assist us in securing permission from the Cuban Government
to carry on our work without official molestation. Mr. Wil-
liams proved affable, and promised to use his influence in our
behalf, which he promptly did, securing permission for us to
carry on our dredging operations on the coast off Morro Castle,
and also at Bahia Honda, a place some fifty miles to the west
of Havana. Wishing to be released from the legal require-
ment of taking a pilot whenever we desired to go in or out
of Havana Harbor, the captain and myself went to the Cap-
tain of the Port, who was acting Admiral at the time. As is
almost universally the case with Spanish officials, this gentle-
man was courtesy itself, and immediately promised to do what
he could for us, and sent us to confer with the “Captain of the
Pilots,” who had jurisdiction in such matters. Both Captain
Flowers and myself were deeply impressed with the courtesy
which seemed to be habitual and natural to these officials, a

courtesy so strangely in contrast with that which we had both

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 63

repeatedly encountered in dealing with similar officials in
our own country, that we could but exclaim, as did Mark
Twain in regard to the French officials, «* We are measurably
their superiors in some things, but they are immeasurably our
superiors in others.”

Havana was founded about 1519, and is thus among the very
oldest cities of the new world, and was twice visited by Colum-
bus. Some of its fortifications were built by De Soto. It
was twice captured by the English, once by the pirate Jacob
Sores, and once by Admiral Drake, since which time it has
been continuously in the power of Spain, although several in-
surrections and so-called *‘revolutions” have given the mother
country considerable trouble.

The architecture is Moorish, as might be expected from the
fact that for centuries the Moors dominated Spain. The old
city, or that originally enclosed within the walls, bears the
appearance of being cramped for room, so characteristic of
walled cities. The streets are excessively narrow, barely
allowing room for two wagons to pass, and are paved with
rough cobble-stones, affording anything but a comfortable
road-bed over which to ride. In many places the signs are
hung across the street, giving a decidedly oriental appearance,
but sadly obstructing the view. The sidewalks are ridicu-
lously narrow, not permitting two persons to pass. The rule
is “ keep to the right,” and if one is walking on the left side
of the street he must take to the gutter, unless he happens to
meet a pedestrian opposite a door, when it is customary for
one person to step into the doorway and let the other pass on
the walk. Most of the windows above the first story project
over the sidewalk, and are enclosed by stout iron bars. Nine-
tenths of the notices posted in the windows and on street cor-
ners are devoted either to announcements of bull-fights or of
lottery drawings. Street peddlers are constantly soliciting the
stranger to buy lottery tickets, and this evil is evidently firmly
entrenched in Havana, as in most Spanish cities. To a
stranger the lottery appears utterly demoralizing in its tenden-
cies, and more harmful in Havana than the drink habit,

64 NatTuraAL History BuLuLeETIN.

although a vast amount of liquor is consumed in the various
cafés.

The Cubans are not living at such a killing rate as their
brethren of the North, and it is a surprise to the latter to see
large rooms filled during business hours with men playing
dominos with the greatest assiduity. Very little drunken-
ness was seen on the streets, in spite of the great amount of
drinking indulged in, and aside from the lotteries, which of
course are legalized, there is little external evidence of vice.

The men are small and rather slender on the average, many
of them with strikingly handsome faces, particularly the eyes.
They are well dressed as a rule, and are much more graceful
and easy in their movements and attitudes than Americans.
Their negligee costume of trousers and light shirt, with a bit
of color in the woven sash gathered around the waist, is cool,
sensible and picturesque. Many of the store-keepers and
clerks appear rather indifferent as to whether they sell you
anything or not, as if they regarded the saving of trouble,
incident upon your refusal to buy, as an offset to the gain they
would realize on the sale. '

Cuban ladies are seldom seen on the streets during the day-
time, and never without an escort, which is usually in the shape
of a grey-haired and solemn-looking duenna. When riding
in the city they are often seen puffing cigarettes, and in some
cases even cigars. It is doubtful, however, whether we saw
many ladies of the higher rank in walking about the city,
especially in the daytime.

Havana boasts a number of well kept and attractive parks.
The one nearest the harbor is the ‘« Plaza de Armas,” front-
ing on the Governor’s residence. A statue of Ferdinand
adorns the centre of this beautiful little park, which is taste-
fully laid out and contains many attractive flowers. Probably
the most beautiful tree in the world for park ornamentation,
Pionciana regia is abundant in Havana, and its rich masses of
scarlet blossoms add greatly to the charm of the public
grounds.

The municipal palace itself is a not very pretentious struc-

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 65

ture of two stories, colored yellow with white trimmings.
Below, a corridor runs along the whole front under a series of
arches, which form in themselves a very characteristic and
artistic feature of Cuban architecture.

In all of the parks we recognized that familiar bohemian
and unmitigated nuisance, the English sparrow. He is now
evidently in possession of the beautiful Cuban parks, and doubt-
less finds himself in even better quarters than in the United
States. If this enterprising bird can overrun a continent with
such appalling facility as he has North America, he doubtless
finds little to prevent his ascendency in an island so well
adapted to his wants as is Cuba. <A better example of man’s
folly in attempting to readjust the infinitely fine balance of
nature by importing a foreign element, could hardly be found
than his performance with the English sparrow, particularly
in the United States.

Some of the names of the streets are curious with their
foreign sound, but we were positively shocked to find that
the street running by the side of the Plaza de Armas was
oO) weily Street)”

Another attractive park, some distance west of the water
front, is ‘“ Parka Centrale,” larger and more frequented by
people than the Plaza de Armas. In front of this park there
stood, at the time of our visit, a handsome triumphal arch,
erected in honor of the Princess Eulalia, who had just visited
Havana. This arch, although a temporary structure, was so
imposing and massive in appearance that, like the *«* White
City,” it seemed a pity to tear it down. On one side of this
is the principal theatre, and on the other the building devoted
to bull-fights, the two main competitors for popular favor.

Parka Centrale is seen at its best in the evening, when the
military concerts are given, and all Havana turns out to enjoy
the refreshing promenade among the trees and flowers, illumi-
nated by electric lights. The music at such times is excel-
lent. Hundreds, and probably thousands, of chairs are placed
near the band stand, and for a “* medio,” or five cents, a court-
eous official sells you a ticket which secures the right to

66 NATURAL "History BULLETIN.

occupy any otherwise vacant chair, and to change your seat
as often as you may desire during the evening.

Here we had a chance to see the better classes of Havana.
and found them very much like other ladies and gentlemen
the world over. Many of the men and some of the women
were strikingly handsome, and seemed to abandon themselves
entirely to the enjoyment of the hour.

The handsomest drive in Havana is along the ** Prado.” or
* Paseo Isabel,” which is probably one of the most pretentious
boulevards in Cuba, having a long line of park-like strips in
the centre and well paved carriage-ways on either side. Cabs
there are everywhere, victorias and “ volantes”” being always
within call. The latter accommodate two or three persons each.
and will take two, and perhaps three, passengers anywhere
within the city limits for twenty cents. Besides these, there
are street-cars and numerous omnibuses which run toward the
suburbs. The drivers seem utterly reckless as they dash
along the narrow streets and whirl around the corners. The
citizens must be educated to keep out of the way of these
vehicles, as they are evidently expected to look out for them-
selves, the cabmen being apparently indifferent as to whether
people are run over or not.

Out west of the city are the Botanical Gardens, the most
beautiful grounds near Havana. Here tropical vegetation
may be seen in its luxuriance, and the trees, especially the
date-palms, are well kept and induced to attain their complete
development. A small stream and miniature lake, bordered
by a profusion of aquatic plants, suggested to the biological
mind that here was an excellent place for a well equipped
biological laboratory in which splendid work could be done,
with both salt and fresh water within easy reach. We found
little evidence, however, that modern biology occupied any
considerable share of the attention of the Cuban authorities.
The Gardens, being beautiful, will always receive the sup-
port of this beauty-loving people; but pure science has not as
yet obtruded itself upon the official mind.

Mr. Wickham visited the museum in the “Iglesias de

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 67

Belen,” a cathedral founded in 1704. The museum is in a
large room opening from the library, and contains collections
illustrating the products of the West Indies, particularly the
island of Cuba. There is a limited number of specimens of
birds, mammals and reptiles. One of the most conspicuous
objects is a centre piece of two large sharks, one of which is a
‘“ hammer-head.” There is also a large collection of labeled
mollusks, and a small collection of insects, most of which are

without labels and in a poor state of preservation, having suf-

»
5
fered greatly from the ravages of moths. The library con-
nected with the museum Is quite extensive, Containing many
rare old works, among them Ramon de la Sagra’s * History
of Cuba,” containing descriptions by specialists of the time, of
all the known animals of the island.

The cathedral which has been supposed to contain the
bones of Columbus was erected by the Jesuits in 1724. It is
sombre and massive, built in the conventional style of all
Spanish cathedrals, with two towers at the front containing
numerous bells. Here we were accorded scant courtesy by a
rotund and surly Padre who seemed to be in charge of this
building.

Opposite the municipal palace is a white marble chapel of
plain but classic design, built to commemorate the celebration
of the first mass held at Havana by Christopher Columbus.

The most striking feature of the city to an American is the
omnipresence of soldiery. The militia are the policemen, and
besides there are thousands of regular troops quartered in the
city. Men in uniform are everywhere conspicuous, in com-
panies, squads, and singly, and the impression conveyed is that
of a city in the grasp of a military despotism. Many of the
police wear sensible straw hats, and the almost universal uni-
form is made of a neatly fitting suit of blue cotton cloth, cool
and adapted to the climate. At the time of our visit there
were rumors of a rebellion, and it may be that a greater num-
ber of soldiers were on duty than is usually the case.

In the poorer quarters of the city the garbage is thrown into
the gutters, and the smells are horrible. Half, indeed almost

68 NaTuRAL History BULVETIN.

entirely, naked children pick over these foul heaps in search
for edible scraps. Flies swarm everywhere, and the dirty
faces of the children are covered with them. Yellow fever is
endemic here, and it is a wonder that its ravages are not more
terrible in the squalid districts. The flies must be active agents
in spreading contagious diseases, where garbage from all
sources is left to rot in the street, and the children and the
flies carry on a struggle for existence, although living in
apparent amity.

The manufacture of tobacco into cigars and ‘cigarettes is of
course one of the most important industries, and every vessel
that comes into the harbor is besieged by tobacco dealers, who
come out in bungos and use the most approved arts of the
peddler in disposing of their goods.

The sudden incursion of so many young men and women
from the hitherto unheard of country called **lowa” was a
matter of considerable interest to the good people of Havana,
and they doubtless had many a hearty laugh over the attempts
of the *« Americanos” to make themselves understood. One
of the most noticeable traits about Spaniards is the impossi-
bility of inducing them to laugh, or even to smile, at any mis-
take a stranger makes in attempting to speak Spanish. With
perfect courtesy they keep their countenances until they are
safe from observation. They would be other than human did
they not laugh then. But we had our turn when our laundry
bill was handed in, with a printed price list, from which I make
a few extracts:

‘Casimire pans, . : : : So cents.
Hand Ferchiefs, . : O5 cents.
Witte linen coats, . : : AO Cents
Varioss happes, . : : : 30 cents.
Nap Kins, . : ; , O05 cents.

Washing will be done in feus hour.”

Although on shore the heat seemed great during the middle
of the day, the thermometer in the hold of our vessel usually
stood at about 86°, not going more than two or three degrees
above that point. The morning from ten to twelve seemed

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 69

the hottest part of the day, as there was usually little breeze
at that time. Just after sunrise the horizon was encircled by
solitary cumulus clouds, which had the turreted appearance so
common in the tropics. Sometimes they assumed the shape of
towering columnar masses with a spreading top. When the
wind was east or south of that quarter the clouds would gather
in the afternoon, and violent rain-squalls would pass westward
over the island. The amount of water which sometimes fell
in the course of half an hour was almost incredible. On
one occasion I saw the water reaching to the horses’ bellies in
one of the main streets. Although the drainage seemed good,
the water came so fast that it was actually unable to run off
with sufficient rapidity to prevent this accumulation. It is
said to be unsafe to use the water in the harbor for any pur-
pose after a heavy rain has washed the streets of the city, and
carried the garbage into the bay.

We remained in Havana Harbor for two days and three
nights at this time. The evenings were delightful, and most
of our party preferred to stay on board. One evening the
Spanish cruiser nearest us was going through the search-light
drill, and threw the dazzling beam on the quarter-deck of the
“Emily E. Johnson,” keeping it there for some time, and
throwing every object into the sharpest relief. Whether this
was a bold scheme to scrutinize the American “ Senoritas,” or
an indication of some suspicion on the part of the authorities,
we never learned.

About all of the naturalizing done at Havana was accom-
plished by our indefatigable entomologists. Mr. Wickham
has handed me the following notes:

«The first insects to attract attention on going ashore were
specimens of Cydzster lherminier?, anda species of [ydrophi-
/us. looking very much like our //. friangularis. These were
found on the ground under the electric lights which line the
harbor front, and later we found a very large Lenacus under
the lamps in various parts of the city. A week later an oppor-
tunity presented itself to go across on the other side of the bay
for an hour’s' work beating, by which it was hoped to add

\

70 Naturau History BuLuETIN.

something to the stock of insects. Vigorous thrashing of the
brush over a large net brought to light two species of large
weevils, one a Pachneus, allied to P. opalius, the other not now
referable to its place in our lists. Both of these were very
active, taking wing almost immediately on being disturbed.
In the same places a few Cryptocephalus marginicollis Latr.
were found, and a peculiar longhorn, Authuorus filum, which
is also known from the Floridian Islands, looking very much
like a small dry twig, the deception being heightened by the
insect keeping perfectly still when beaten from its resting
place. Locusts were quite abundant in the dusty roads, but
time was all too precious to admit of chasing them. Butter-
flies were fairly common, and a small series of them was
secured.

+ About this time a yellowish beetle with dark tips to the
elytra, .Vacerdes melanura i... was very common in the hold
of the vessel, often running over the tables or crawling in the
bunks. It is probable that they bred aboard the schooner,
however, as it seems hardly likely that they would come in
such numbers from the city. The insect has a very wide
distribution. An example of Ca//ichroma columbina, a beauti-
ful velvety green longhorn, was found one morning at rest on
the hull, and as it is a West Indian species, it is probable that
it flew out from the shores of the bay. A scarabeid beetle,
Scatophilus sarpedon (Burm.), was also found near Havana.”

An excellent series of photographs of Havana and vicinity
was taken by Mr. G. L. Houser, besides a great number of
more or less successful snap-shots with the Kodak and other
hand cameras, with which several of the party had provided
themselves. Films seemed to work better than glass plates in
the hand cameras, and were apparently less damaged by fungi
on account of being tightly rolled while in the camera, leaving
the surface exposed for only a very brief time. We found our
dark-room for developing so unbearably hot and stifling after
the lamp had been burning for a few minutes, that most of us
avoided developing our negatives while on the vessel.

Oa the morning of Wednesday, May 24th, we had an excit-

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. pa

ing adventure which might have ended disastrously. The
mate had brought along a small dog for a ship’s pet, and
« Paul,” as he was called, soon became a general favorite,
being of an affectionate and playful disposition. He had been
moping and under the weather for a day or two, and on this
morning, while all hands were on deck after breakfast, Paul,
who was being fondled by one of the young men, suddenly
sprang from his arms, and gave apparently unmistakable
evidence of rabies, barking and growling at imaginary ene-
mies, trembling violently, and circling around the deck as if
seeking a hiding place, but not able to remain in one when
found. Finally foamy saliva gathered around the mouth, and
we were forced to conclude that the animal was mad. Under
the circumstances there was no time for debate. Even the
possibility of the animal’s being rabid, and free in the narrow
limits of the deck, with twenty-eight people on board, was
enough to send a thrill of horror through all who saw the
dog’s condition. One of the crew, with genuine heroism, suc-
ceeded in getting the animal by the neck and holding him
until a blow frem a large iron bolt ended his life and his suf-
fering.

If the animal actually had rabies, which of course could not
be definitely proven without a more thorough investigation
than we could give, it is evident that the malady had been
latent ever since leaving Baltimore, or that this was a sponta-
neous case of madness.

At 9:40 in the morning, the “Emily E. Johnson” was towed
out of Havana Harbor, to attempt to secure a series of
Peutacrinus from the celebrated ** Pentacrinus Grounds,” dis-
covered by Lieut. Commander Sigsbee, of the ‘“ Blake,” in
18785, and ever memorable as the first place where the beauti-
ful ‘ sea-lilies”” were dredged in quantities. For this pur-
pose our expedition had visited Havana, although we were
told by competent authorities on marine dredging that our
plan was **too ambitious,” and that dredging at such depths
with a sail-vessel was impracticable. Moreover we were
informed that an iron rope could not be used on any but a

72 NatTurAL History BULLETIN.

steam-vessel, with steam to hoist the dredge. We, on the
contrary, believed our plan practicable, and proposed to dem-
onstrate its feasibility, if possible.

This day, then, was to witness the crucial test of the expe-
dition, and of the equipment so carefully devised bye Professor
Weld, from hints given by Doctor Alexander Agassiz. Mr.
Benedict, Assistant Curator of Marine Invertebrates at the
Smithsonian Institution, was naturalist in charge of the United
States Fish Commission Steamer * Albatross,” when she made
her successful hauls of Peztacrinus off Morro Light. This
gentleman very kindly pointed out for our benefit the exact
spot on the chart from which these hauls were made, and gave
us valuable suggestions as to the best methods of securing the
crinoids, strongly advising the use of tangles rather than trawls
or the dredge.

At 10:15 A. M., we made our first soundings, Morro Castle
bearing S. W. by W., distance one mile. The lead did not
reach the bottom. At 10:43 we made a second sounding,
with the same bearings from Morro Castle, and distant about
one and one-half miles, finding a depth of one hundred and
ten fathoms. The tallow at the bottom of the lead was eagerly
scrutinized for indications of the nature of the sea-bottom at
this point, and we found, among fragments of coral, a fresh
arm-plate of acrinoid. This was good evidence that we were
over the pentacrinus ground, and the tangles were immediately
lowered, rapidly at first, until they were presumably nearing
the bottom, and then slowly, until the jerking on the rope
proved that the tangles were dragging. The wind was N. E
and just about enough of it for our purpose. The vessel was
headed about N. W., the current running east about three
knots per hour. We were.thus dredging almost directly off
shore, or down the submarine declivity which leads somewhat
rapidly into deep water off the Cuban coast. Just enough
headway was kept to drag the tangles without their jump-
ing and hitching over the bottom.

After allowing the tangles to drag for about twenty minutes,

the crank to the crab was manned, and our first haul in deep

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. The

Water was on its way to the surface. The number of willing
hands on board made it possible to work short shifts, the men
working in pairs in regular rotation, each pair making’ thirty
turns of the crank, the next pair immediately taking their
place at the thirtieth turn. It was necessary for one man to
stand in front of the machine with a stick as a lever to guide
the rope so that it reeled regularly and did not pile on the
drum. Others got out buckets, tubs, sieves and jars, in which
to assort the proceeds of the haul. As the tangles neared the
surface an anxious group of watchers stood along the rail. It
must be confessed that this was a time of very great but sup-
pressed excitement. We hardly dared hope that the first haul
would be successful, and were indeed prepared to work for a
week, if necessary, before giving up our cherished hope of
obtaining the much prized *sea-lilies.” Although assuring
each other that success must not be expected on this first
attempt, there was eager expectancy on every face that leaned
over the rail to catch the first glance of the returning tangles.
At last a dim yellowish blotch appeared way down in the blue
depths, then one of the sinkers, and finally the bar broke above
the surface amid breathless silence. The next moment a
shout of triumph, for there, clinging to the hempen strands,
were over a score of the graceful pentacrini. It was well
that no phonograph recorded the wild rhapsodies with which
we fondly and caressingly disentangled our prizes from the
hempen meshes, placing them as soon as possible into sixty
per cent. alcohol, as advised by Mr. Benedict.

During the four days spent on the pentacrinus grounds we
made fifteen hauls, mostly with the tangles, dredging down
the slope from one hundred and twenty-five to two hundred
and sixty fathoms, and securing about one hundred and fifty
specimens of these handsome c¢rinoids. Pextacrinus milleré
and P. decorwus were the most abundant, but two beautiful
specimens of P. asfcria were secured, besides a very small
Pentacrinus which may be new.! When fresh, P. miiller7 is

1 Dr. Charles Wachsmuth, the veteran authority on crinoids, kindly identified
these species for us.

74 NATURAL ‘History BULLETIN.

darker colored than P. decorus, and is a handsomer species on
account of the greater number of arms. . decorus when first
out of water usually had the head gracefully drooping and the
arms not greatly recurved, the outline of the whole being very
much like that of a lily. Pentacrinus muller?, on the con-
trary, came up with the head erect and the numerous arms
very greatly recurved, usually meeting below the calyx as do
the leaves of some tiger-lilies. P. decorus is much more
fragile than the other species, both the cirri and arms being
more slender and liable to injury.

Lieutenant Commander Sigsbee reported that the colors of
these pentacrini were light brown, white and yellow. We
saw none that were either white or yellow, all being of some
shade of light brown, usually with a purplish or violet tinge,
and sometimes approaching a flesh color. Bright yellow
Comatule were fairly abundant, and white or nearly white
Comatule were also secured at this place. It occurs to me as
possible that Lieutenant Commander Sigsbee may have had
these in mind when giving the colors of the pentacrini.

Several specimens lived some little time after coming on deck.
The P. decorus would gracefully expand its arms until they
assumed a reflexed attitude, similar to that of P. mu/lerz.
The cirri were also waved about as if seeking support, and
there was some motion of the stem. We did not observe any
independent motion of the pinnules.

A majority of the specimens came on deck in good condition.
Some were broken in the operation of disentangling from the
hemp strands, and a few, not very many, were ruined by their
noted proclivity to “fly all to pieces” when displeased, a
shocking habit, especially in crinoids worth twenty dollars
apiece.

The method of preserving in pairs of pans soldered together,
as described on page 56, worked admirably, the specimens thus
cared for reaching Iowa City, after three months’ tossing about
on the * Emily E. Johnson,” in excellent condition, not having
suffered the slightest damage so far as we could see. The
remainder were transported in a large square tank of alcohol,

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A Bouquet of « Sea Lilies.’

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NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 7A
75

and these also came through with remarkably little damage.

The first specimen of modern Pentacrimus brought to the
attention of the scientific world was secured from the vicinity
of the Island of Martinique, and sent to Paris in 1775. During
the next century only a few isolated specimens found their way
to Europe, and none of these had the soft parts suthciently
well preserved for satisfactory investigation. The * Chal-
lenger” secured quite a series, comprising several new species,
but nowhere were they found in any considerable quantities
during that memorable expedition. It remained for the United
States Coast Survey Steamer “ Blake” to discover that there
are still spots on the earth’s surface where these graceful
forms grow in almost as great profusion as during past geo-
logical times.

So far as the writer can discover, only two vessels dredged
over the pentacrinus grounds previous to the visit of the ** Emily
E. Johnson.” These were the “ Blake” and the “ Albatross,”
the latter vessel being, as Agassiz says, ‘the best equipped
dredger for deep sea work in existence.” Both of these
expeditions secured magnificent series of Pefacrinus, which
enriched the collections at the Smithsonian, Harvard, and a
few other Eastern Institutions. No Western museum had any-
thing like a good series of these interesting animals until our
expedition secured an abundance of stalked crinoids for the
State University of Iowa.

One attempt to use a dredge on the pentacrinus ground
came near resulting disastrously. The dredge caught on the
rocky bottom and hung so solidly that it seemed that our
dredge rope would certainly part. The strain was evidently
tremendous, but the rope held, and after great labor and
anxiety the dredge was broken from the bottom, and came up
bent out of shape and with little in it to pay for our trouble.
The tangle bar is the instrument far excellence to use on rocky
bottom, such as we found at this station.

The labor of continuous dredging was rather severe on the
young men, most of whom were still inclined to be seasick.
The heat at times seemed oppressive, and our backs ached

76 NatTurAL History BULLETIN.

long before the evening of each day spent on the pentacrinus.
grounds. We had the great satisfaction, however, of feeling
that we were attaining a marked success, and stuck to the work
every day, and all day, until our ambition was satisfied in the
matter of crinoids. Besides the pentacrini, a number of species
of Comatule, including several Actznometra, served to enlarge
our series of crinoids.

At this station we reaped a rich harvest of marine inverte-
brates of almost every class, and found the ground well worth
working over, even had there been no “sea-lilies”’ secured.
Among the crustacea there were fewer individuals than we
encountered elsewhere, and yet those secured were almost
invariably of peculiar interest. The macrourans were rep-
resented by two striking forms, one a species of J7unida, having
greatly elongated chelipeds and long antenne widely separated
at the base. The eyes are greatly enlarged and deeply pig-
mented, indicating a constant functional use of these organs,
which could doubtless discern both prey and enemies as the
animal wandered around the patches of phosphorescent gor-
gonians so abundant in this locality. What a weird and ghostly
world it must be down there! A world of fitful phosphor--
escent gleams amid the eternal night and unbroken silence, a
land tenanted by grotesque shapes wandering among the
miniature palm-groves of pentacrini, each living but to kill and
eat, and in turn to be killed and eaten. ‘The struggle for
existence must be as sharp down there as elsewhere in nature,
but it seems to our notion more grim, with less of joy because
with less of light and sound, and less of pleasure because with
less to impress the senses.

Another still more interesting macrouran was a little fellow
with his tail flexed tightly beneath the thorax, and enormously
lengthened chelipeds and chel«, these organs being no less
than four times the entire apparent length of the body. The
chele are, moreover, distinguished by having one large tooth
on the inferior cutting edge of the forceps, and anterior to:
this a number of minute nodules. They are provided, more-
over, with conspicuous tufts of hair which project like a cam-

M. F. LINDER, DEL.

Crustacea from ‘‘ Pentacrinus Ground.”’

1, OSACHILA TUBEROSA. Stimp.

2. THRYOLAMBRUS ASTROIDES. Rathb.
3 Macrouran with elongated chelipeds,
3a. Chela of same.

4, MuNIDA (7?) sp.

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NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. ry
el’s hair brush in front of these organs. The eyes are small
.and entirely devoid of pigment, giving the impression that
they were not much used. Probably the brushes on the
chelz were tactile organs pushed out far in front of the animal
on the enormously lengthened chelipeds.

Among the brachyurans the myioids greatly predomi-
nated. One species of Lvdcnza is characterized by a great
horse-shoe-shaped depression on the carapace, as if the ani-
mal had been very deeply branded. The concave surface of
the depression is glistening and smooth, as if it were in some
way artificially produced. This mark is perfectly symmet-
rical, however, and placed exactly on the median line of the
carapace. In other respects this specimen is not remarkable.
A species of Tiiplolambrus was secured, with a transverse
and triangular carapace, an exceedingly long cheliped and
small chela with conspicuous spines. All the legs are covered
with spines and nodules, and the carapace is marked with
curious reticulations of ridges and grooves, as if waterworn.
There is no rostrum, and the inconspicuous eyes have the
appearance of being functionless. A slender-limbed species
probably belonging to the genus Podochela is characterized by
its long and slender forceps, exserted eyes, and two dark
marks on the carapace above the bases of the walking legs.

Among the oxystomata, Osachila tuberosa Stimpson was
secured. It has the tender mouth-parts well protected by a
leaf-like expansion of part of the maxilliped, which forms a
triangular plate exactly fitting over the mouth-parts, and, with
its fellow, making a sort of operculum which effectually pro-
tects all of the appendages engaged in feeding.

One of the interesting things about the macroura is the
nicety with which the antennule is folded up like a pocket
rule, and tucked away out of sight when not in use. A novice
might hunt in vain for this organ in the species in question
without discovering it packed out of harm’s way in a special
pocket hollowed out under the rostrum for its reception.

The most abundant animals at this station were the various
lasses of Echinodermata. Of these the star-fish were the

=

78 Natura History BULLETIN.

least numerous, although one striking species was secured,
which seems to belong to the family Asterinide, but cannot
be accommodated in any genus, the description of which is
accessible to the writer. The abactinal surface is covered
with small rectangular plates arranged in regular rows.
These plates bear spines closely resembling paxilla in their
arrangement. The papule, or dermal branchie, are found
on the dorsal surface only. ‘The most striking feature of this
species is the peculiar ornamentation effected by conspicuous,
irregularly disposed rounded prominences scattered over the
dorsal surface, and resembling huge warts. I have seen no
similar arrangement of tubercles elsewhere among the
Asteroidea.

Among the thirty-odd species of serpent-stars and basket-
fish dredged on the pentacrinus grounds, were many forms of
unusual interest to the zoologist, a considerable proportion
being probably new species. This portion of the collection
is particularly worthy of careful study in the hands of a compe-
tent specialist. The writer can do nothing more than indi-
cate the general nature of the collection, mentioning a few of
the more notable and striking forms, such as catch the atten-
tion in a hurried examination of the material.

The Ophuride are represented by species of Ophzura,
Ophiomusium, Ophiozona, Ophiolepis, Ophionitra, Ophto-
pepale, Ophiothyreus, Ophiocantha, Ophiogly pha, and Ophio-
CUMAN.

A very striking form allied to Ophzomuscum has the entire
dorsal surface covered with rounded, greatly projecting nod-
ules like cobble-stones of several colors in striking contrast.
Similar nodules cover the dorsal surface of the arms, from which
they pass on to the disk, forming five large bulging ridges
which meet at the centre of the back. Alternating with these
ridges are the broad, granulated and widely separated radial
shields. Below are seen the roughly pentagonal mouth-
shields, with conspicuous side mouth-shields, both being set
back a considerable distance from the angles of the jaws,
Each upper arm-plate alternates with a series of three promi-

NaRRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 79

nent * cobble-stones,” and a still more prominent accessory
piece is placed in front of each side arm-plate, the latter being
considerably less conspicuous than the accessory piece.
There are two short, stubby arm-spines to each side arm-
plate, and a large tentacle-scale apparently soldered down to
the lower arm-plate, there being no visible tentacle-pores.
The mouth-papille are six on each side of each jaw, and they
too are apparently soldered together, a character of the genus
Ophiomusrum. Another interesting fact is that the arms roll
in a vertical plane, a feature heretofore, I believe, observed
only in the Astrophytida, or basket-fish. This resemblance
is further helped out by the prominent ridges on the top and
sides of the arms, these ridges of being formed by the upper
and side arm-plates. Indeed it is doubtful that this strange
ophiurian is an Ophzomusrum at all, and it may be regarded as
the first of a series of no less than eight species secured at
this station, which lead from the true serpent-stars on the one
hand to the true branched Astrophytide on the other.

The species above described would seem to be on the
serpent-star side of the line, still retaining the characteristic
mouth-parts, 1. e., mouth-shields, side mouth-shields and mouth
papilla, combined with several features characteristic of the
Astrophytide.

Next in our progress toward the typical basket-tish, we
come to a species of Svesbera, with a highly vaulted disk
covered with harsh granules, and exhibiting pronounced
radiating ridges, and, in addition, raised ridges which form
concentric pentagonal markings, crossing the radiating ridges
at right angles. The bases of the arms are swollen, and the
arms throughout are ringed as in the next genus. The radiat-
ing ridges on the disk are formed not by radial shields, but by
series of nodules or small plates. The arms are harsh with
rough granules arranged in ridges as in the next genus, and
roll naturally in a vertical plane, forming a stiff coil which can
hardly be unrolled after the animal is dead without breaking
the arm. There are large and prominent accessory plates on
the sides of the arms. This species differs from Sveséera

So NatTurAL History BuLueETIn.

murrhine in having a highly vaulted instead of a flat disk, as
represented in Agassiz’ “Three Cruises of the Blake,” and
described in the “ Blake” Reports. ‘The arrangement of the
dorsal plates is also different.

Next we have the genus Ophzomyxa, which is placed on the
basket-fish side of the line. Our collection seems to contain
at least two species of this genus. Here we have forms with
the arm-plates and disk markings of the serpent-star replaced
by a tough, leathery membrane. The mouth-papille are
furnished with serrated edges. an approach to the spines in
this region characteristic of the basket-fish. The tentacle-
scales are obliterated, and the arm-spines are reduced to in-
conspicuous stumps. The radial ridges are not prominent.
A step farther is reached in the genus Opfzocreas, of which
we secured at least three species at this station. This genus
has the astrophyton-like characters of Ophzomyxa, and, in
addition the spiniform mouth-papilla and prominent radial
ridges reaching in some cases clear to the middle of the dorsal
surface. The arms are immensely lengthened, reaching the
maximum of length to diameter to be found among ophiurians.
The three species secured may be differentiated as follows, the
writer not being willing to risk naming them:

(a) A form in which one radial shield of each pair over-
laps its fellow. Length of arms to diameter of body is as
twelve to one. The color in alcohol is a decided brown.

(b) - An exceedingly slender form, with prominent but
narrow radial plates which do not touch each other. Length
of arms to diameter of disk as twenty-five to one. This is a
small and delicate species, of a lght pinkish brown color,
highly vaulted disk, and remarkably attenuated arms.

(c) A small but stouter form, with radial shields not reach-
ing to center of disk, but extending not much more than half
that distance. Disk flat; segments of arms very distinct,
much more so than in any other Opfvocreas which | have seen.
Length of arms to diameter of disk as eight to one.

Last of all we come to two species of As/rogomphus, a genus
discovered by the “Blake” near the Florida Keys. This

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. Sr

genus seems to exhibit nearly all of the characters of an
astrophyton except the branching arms, and is probably nearer
that genus than any other specimen secured by us. Neither
of our two species can be referred to Astrogomphus vallatus.
They may be briefly diagnosed as follows:

(a) Radial ridges broader than in A. vallatus; spiniform
mouth-papilla much smaller. The ventral surface is not
smooth, but bears anumber of regularly but sparsely distrib-
uted granular nodules. There is no “fence of pickets ” sepa-
rating the mouth region from the interbrachial spaces. Color
in alcohol almost white.

(b) Radial ridges not continuing to near center of disk,
and apparently five instead of ten in number, owing to the
fact that each pair of radial plates is soldered together by their
apposed faces, forming one broad elevated ridge instead of
two, as in other species. The ridges on disk and arm bases
resemble those of Astrocnida zsidis. Spines on radial ridges
smaller than in Astrogomphus vallatus, and the mouth parts
much as in the latter species. The ventral surface is crowded
with spiny granules, but there is no “ fence of pickets.”

It is seldom that such an array of species of simple armed
AstTrRopHYTID@ is found in any one locality. Most of these
forms appear to be new, and are certainly well worthy of care-
ful study.

Among the great number of typical serpent-stars our space
will admit of but the briefest mention of afew. Ofphiothyreus
goes? is a short-armed species having the disk covered with
swollen plates. The first upper arm-plate is split in two and
interposed between the radial shields. Each half of the split
arm-plate bears on its outer side a row of minute scales re-
sembling genital scales. Ofhiopepale goesiana is a daintily
marked slender-armed species, with divided under arm-plates
and prominent radial shields. Disk brown, conspicuously
spotted with white.

A very conspicuous species is an Ofhiocantha (7), with a
disk colored light brown. with five broad radiating bands of
pure white and long glassy spines. There are few more

82 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

beautiful objects under a low power of the microscope than
these glassy spined ophiurans. For some reason they are
particularly apt to be provided with conspicuous radiating
bands of color, giving a remarkably elegant pattern against
which the pure transparent spines are outlined. Another fact
worth noting is that, so far as the writer has been able to
discover, these glassy spines are never colored, as are the
gorgeous calcareous spicules of the GoRGONID#, for instance.
Nature has infinite resources, and the contrast of color is
probably just as effective in the one case as in the other.
There may belittle significance in the fact that a deep violet
or purple is perhaps the commonest color in spicules of gorgo-
nians, and is also found in the conspicuous color bands on the
disks of many species of glassy spined ophiurans.

Perhaps the most remarkable spines possessed by any
species dredged from the pentacrinus grounds, are those of
an Ophiocamax (?), in which some of the arm-spines are six
times the diameter of the arm in length. These beautiful
spines are beset with symmetrically arranged spinelets sharp
as needles (how poor the comparison!), and set nearly at
right angles to the main shaft. The disk of this species is
remarkable for being highly vaulted and sharply divided into
five swollen lobes. The mouth-papillae are arranged in
rosette-shaped tufts, and tooth-papillae are present. ‘Taken as
a whole the Oputurtb secured at this station are character-
ized by the paleness of their colors, although bright pigment
is by no means wanting.

Among the Echini a number of striking forms were
secured. Perhaps the handsomest species was Povocrdarts
sharrerz, one specimen being a truly magnificent one, with
spines about seven inches in length, and the peculiar serrated
radioles resembling some of the ivory spear-heads used in
Africa. Dorocidaris bartletti exhibited remarkable variation
in its radioles or primary spines, those in young specimens
being conspicuously banded with scarlet and white, and
coarsely serrated, while the older and longer spines appear to
have lost both their color and their serrations.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 83

‘

It seems to me that such striking coloration in regular
pattern as is often found among the deep-sea echinoderms is
good presumptive evidence that there is a considerable quan-
tity of light at the sea bottom, whether the illumination comes
from the upper world or is furnished entirely by the various
phosphorescent animals.

Celopleurus floridanus, a beautifully colored species allied to
the Arbacea of our coasts, made a pleasing display with its
brilliant crimson and white spines. The four triangular anal
plates of this species is usually given as a family character of
the ARBACEID4, but among our specimens of Ca/opleurus
flortdanus was one with three plates, others with four, and
one with five. In examining the series it so happened that
the writer found the three in the order named, much to his
astonishment. Salenia patterson?, another species with spines
banded with vermilion and white, is rendered still more at-
tractive by bands of deep viclet following the ambulacral
furrows, and outlining the plates of the apical system, the
ground color being a dove or cream color. The anal opening
is quite eccentric in this sea-urchin, and Alexander Agassiz
thinks that the suranal plate is the homologue of the centro-
dorsal of star-fishes and crinoids. A beautiful specimen of
Aspidodiadema may represent a new species, the spines being
ringed with rich purplish violet and white in striking contrast.

Some small specimens of Echini probably belonging to the
genus Temnechinus were secured, and also a few small Petal-
osticha which have not yet been identified.

The ccelenterates of the pentacrinus ground are little less
interesting than the echinoderms. The assemblage of forms
belonging to this subkingdom embraced almost nothing that is
familiar to the naturalist whose work has been confined to
shallow water.

The corals are almost all of the simple old-fashioned type.
not one of the familiar West Indian reef-builders being found
at this station. Pourtalés, who had the honor of first calling
the attention of the scientific world to the deep-sea corals of
the Gulf Stream, says, “The total of sixty-four species is

84 NatTurAL History BULLETIN.

nearly as large as the total of the shoal water or reef corals of
the same region, if we reduce the number of the latter to its
proper proportions by the rejection of merely nominal species. '”
Probably the most beautiful simple coral secured by us was a
Deltocyathus ttalicus. Vhis exquisite little disc-shaped coral is
noted for being a living fossil, as it were, being found living
on the Portalés Plateau and other parts of the Gulf Stream,
and fossil inthe Miocene rocks of Italy. We tound excellent
specimens of both forms figured by Agassiz in “Three
Cruises of the Blake.” None of our specimens showed any
indication of a base of attachment. Other genera represented
were Phizotrochus, Caryophyllia, Paracyathus and Thecopsam-
mia. A small branching form was also secured with slender
costate calicles, from the upper walls of which other individual
calicles spring. ‘The most conspicuous coral here was a pro-
fusely branching form which appears to be A.vohelia mirabilis,
although the original description of this species is not at hand.
The specimen secured has a remarkably hispid surface, with
calicles having ten to twelve exserted septa, giving it the ap-
pearance of an Ocul7na. An unusual character is the preva-
lence of ten septa to each calicle, the number twelve appearing
to be exceptional. The corallum is buffy or creamy white,
with brown polyps.

To those accustomed to the shallow-water Hydrocoralline,
the deep-water forms area revelation. The daintiest “coral ”
secured was the Sty/aster jfilogranus, with its exquisite lace-like
tracery of delicate branchlets and its rosy hue. Unfortunately,
the beautiful color had altogether disappeared before we
reached home. P/robathus symmetricus is, as its name implies,
a form characterized by unusual symmetry, being fan-shaped
with a number of regularly disposed palmate branches. Ls-
tichopora contorta has curiously bent branches, along the
edges of which are double ridges with deep furrows between.
The gastrozoids inhabit large pores arranged in an irregular
double row along the bottom of the furrow, while the dactylo-

1 Report on Corals and Antipatharia by L. F. Pourtalés, Bulletin Mus. Comp.
Zool., Vol. V1I., No: 4.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 85

zoids inhabit smaller slit-like pores placed on either side along
the edge of the two ridges. The specimens of this form
secured by us attain a height of about two inches.

Two other species of this genus were found which attained
a considerable size. Both were profusely branching forms,
with the branches in the same plane. One, 2. salcata (?),
had the edges cut by deep grooves, which were continuous
and included large pores, and ill-defined nodules scattered
rather freely over the broad surfaces of the branches. Color,
light buffy. The other species was characterized by very
shallow, discontinuous grooves along the edges, small pores,
comparatively smooth surface, and a white color.

So far as we discovered, these deep-water Hydrocorallina
did not possess stinging powers at all comparable with their
shallow-water relatives, which have an urccating effect hardly
surpassed by any ccelenterates which we encountered, with
the exception of certain Siphonophora.

The Alcyonaria were no less interesting than the hard
corals, and were in a better state of preservation, making
their approximate identification possible. The classification
used is the one adopted in the “ Challenger ” Report on the
Alcyonaria.+

Two beautiful crimson species of Gorgonza were found, with
sub-flabellate system of branches and slightly raised calicles.
The CuHrysoGorGip4 were represented by species of the
genera Dasygorgia and Chrysogorgia. The former does not
have the branches spirally arranged, and the branches are
sparse and do not break up into branchlets, as is usual in this
genus. On the other hand, the calicles are long and at an
acute angle to the branch, and have the spicules arranged as
in the genus mentioned. The specimens of C#rysogorgia are
branched in an exceedingly profuse dendritic manner, giving
an unusually delicate and pleasing appearance to the colony.
The calicles are much smaller than in the preceding species,

1 It is surprising how greatly these magnificent Reports differ in the convenience
with which they may be used by the general zoologist, the Report on the A/cvonaria

being particularly satisfactory in the synopsis of classification in the introduction,
which greatly enhances the utility of the work to the non-specialist.

og)

6 Naturat History BULLETIN.

and conform to the definition of Crysogorgza in the disposition
of the spicules.

A beautiful Acanthogorgia, apparently complete, but only
two inches high. is symmetrically flabellate and very profusely

ranching, with lengthened columnar calicles and bristling
with thorny spicules. two layers of which protect the included
polyp. the inner layer closing over the distal end and forming
a complete operculum. Two species of Paramuricea, both
brown in color, flabellate in form, and very profusely branch-
ing. differ in size and in the arrangement of the verruciform
calicles. one being characterized by distinctly separated cali-
cles. and the other by having the branches covered with a
dense mass of crowded calicles with their bristling spicules.
A bright crimson species probably belongs to this genus. and,
bears a striking superficial resemblance to the beautiful colored
plates of Szphonogorgza in the «* Challenger” Report. Under
the lens this species is exquisitely beautiful, with its coating of
large crimson spicules.

These extremely hispid species get so involved in the fine
hempen strands of the tangles. that a great deal of patience is
required to separate them from their unnatural environment,
and it is almost impossible to pick off all the threads that wind
in and out among the myriad thorny points of the spicules.

The family GoRGONELLID is represented by a slender whip-
like Scerpearella, with irregular rows of verruciform calicles
arranged on two sides of the unbranched colony. The general
surface is smooth. and the color orange in some specimens and
light yellow in others.

Among the most interesting of all was a representative of the
family CORNULARID#, which gives an idea of the stock from
which the primitive TUBULARID, or organ-pipe coral, and also
the original GorGontib#, may have sprung’ These speci-
mens. which are fragmentary, appear to belong to the genus
Telesto, although I am not aware that representatives of this
genus have heretofore been reported from the Atlantic. It is
characterized by having a long axial polyp-tube, in our speci-
mens. about four inches long. A cross section of this polyp-

7

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 87

tube reveals a central cavity surrounded by the eight mesen-
terial chambers, which reach from the base of the branch clear
up to the terminal polyp. The ridges indicating these mesen-
teries can be seen externally running along in parallel lines to
the extremity of the axial polyp. At rather short intervals
lateral polyp-tubes appear, ending distally in calicles with eight
longitudinal ridges. The polyps can be partially, and per-
haps wholly, protracted from the calicles. Color of entire
colony, orange. The specimen closely resembles 7elesto
arborea, as figured and described in the ** Challenger ” Report.

Two other species of the Alcyonacea belong to the widely
distributed genus Spongodes. The colony at first glance seems
to be nothing but an agglomeration of spicules. The polyps
are in dense, short clusters or clumps. and are so compactly
surrounded by large jagged spicules that the calicles are
almost concealed. One species is brown and about an inch
high, and the other is brilliant scarlet and somewhat smaller.

The difference between this assemblage of Alcyonaria from
the pentacrinus ground and those from shallow water in the
same general region, is probably as great as would be found
in specimens from the polar and tropical seas, and forcibly
illustrates the revelations that await us when investigations are
undertaken in the science of bathymetrical distribution of
animals, a science which bids fair to be as productive of
suggestive facts as is that of geographical distribution, as
first conceived and elaborated by Alfred Russell Wallace.

One or more species of Antipathes was collected here, all
being of the branching type. They were at first taken for
plumularian hydroids, to which they bear considerable super-
ficial resemblance.

In this locality about twenty-one species of hydroids were
dredged from depths averaging from one hundred to two
hundred and fifty fathoms. Of the eight -campanularians,
five appear to be new. The heretofore described species are
Obelia marginata, Thyroscyphus ramosus, and C ryptolaria
conferta. Two parasitic campanularians were secured, one
being characterized by a more robust calicle than its nearest

rete) NatTurAL History BULLETIN.

ally, Lafwa venusta, and also by the fact that the margin is
very slightly, if at all, everted. The other species is still
more robust, and perfectly smooth, the annulations which
make ZL. venusta so attractive being entirely absent.

Two new species of Cryplolar7a were added to this inter-
esting genus. One was among the most graceful forms of
hydroids secured, having exceedingly large and long hydro-
thecee gracefully curved with their bases twisted together, a
very distinct and striking species. Another form is distin-
guished by profusely annulated hydrothece which are nearly
opposite on the polysiphonic stem. Another interesting find
was a species which bears a very striking resemblance to
Lafea convallaria, but a closer examination shows that each
calicle is separated from the stem by a distinct partition or
septum, a character which, according to Allman, must throw the
Havana species into the genus Liclorella. ‘The gonangia are of
the peculiar anchor shape described by Clarke, but the top is
produced into a tube through which the ova apparently
escape, and not through the lateral flukes of the anchor.

Some novel forms were encountered among the sertularians.
One species, growing to a height of about six inches, was pro-
vided with the largest hydrothecze the writer ever saw.
These were further remarkable in being in the form of a
parallelopipedon, with a square aperture and an operculum
composed of four flaps. The margin is ornamented with
a number of false margins, as if produced by successive
periods of growth. Sertularia imtegritheca has very large
cylindrical hydrothecz without opercular flaps. The gonan-
gia of this species are almost unique in springing apparently
from the side of the hydrothece. An exceedingly delicate
Sertularva is characterized by having the hydrothec@ in pairs
with their backs contingent, and borne on the side, not the
front, of the stem as in the genus Desmoscyphus. Sertiularia
‘ubitheca completes the list of sertularians from this region.

A number of interesting PLUMULARID& were dredged on the
pentacrinus ground. Plumularia megalocephala and Anten-
nella gracilis were found. A fragmentary specimen, with

M. F. LINDER, DEL.

Fig.

“2

Fig.
Fig.
Fig.
Fig. 2
Fig.
Fig. 3
Fig.
Fig.
Fig.
Fig.

Fig.

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=
t
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Ss
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Hydroids from ‘‘Pentacrinus Ground.”

a
la.

4.

SERTULARELLA GAYI VAR. ROBUSTA. Allman.
FILELLUM sp., a parasitic Hydroid.

SERTULARELLA FORMOSA. Fewkes.

Gonangium of same.

LAFG:A VENUSTA. Allman.

OBELLA HYALINA. Clarke (found on floating sea-weed
Magnified hydranth of same.

LICTORELLA CONVALLARIA (7?) (Allman).

4a, b,c. Details of same.

5.

Ea,

56.

SERTULARELLA QUADRATA. Nutting.
Magnified hydrotheca of same.
Parasitic campanularian.

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NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 89

four supracalicene nematophores, two of which were exces-
sively elongated, is not far from the genus Diplopleron of All-
man, but may require a new genus for its accommodation.
Aglaophenta rhynchocarfa and A. lophocarpa were accom-
panied by a probably new species of Ag/aophenia, character-
ized by having the mesial nematophores long with the distal
portion projected at a large angle from the anterior face of the
hydrotheca. Corbulx with eight perfectly free leaflets, each
bearing two rows of nematophores. ‘The distal ends of the
leaflets from opposite sides meet each other above, rather
than alternating as in other species. A new JVematophorus
is remarkable for the possession of ** double barrelled ” mesial
nematophores, which are very long and project forward and
slightly downward. An apparently new Cladocar pus is allied
to C' dolichotheca, from which it differs in having much shorter
and more closely approximated hydrothece, in having the
gonangia in pairs instead of single, and in less profusely
branched phylactogonia.

Too.much cannot be said in praise of the manner in which
Captain Flowers handled his vessel while dredging. He
amply demonstrated the practicability ofeworking at consider-
able depths with a_sail-vessel, and it was evident that with
sufficient iron rope we could have done successful work at a
depth of five hundred fathoms or over. The captain staid at
the wheel during the entire four days of our work on the
pentacrinus ground, and also stood his watch at night while
the vessel was standing off and on, in order to be on the
dredging ground early in the morning. Even his endurance,
however, was not sufficient for such a continued strain, and
on Friday evening, May 26th, we decided to return to Ha-
vana in order to getarest. But this was easier said than done.
The wind held fair but close, until the « Emily E. Johnson”
was right in the narrowest part of the channel, when it sud-
denly drew around, blowing directly out of the harbor and in
our teeth. There was room neither to tack nor to bring the
vessel about, and the situation was decidedly precarious.
Then it was that our captain showed his judgment and sea-

go NaTtruraL History BULLETIN.

manship, for he succeeded in éack7ng the schooner out of the
channel as neatly as though she had steam propulsion. With
consummate skill his orders were given and executed, every
pull at the halliards and sheets having the exact effect upon
which he had calculated. A glance at the sea-wall opposite
Morro Castle showed that it was black with people, who real-
ized that a wreck was imminent. Slowly and steadily the
«Emily ” glided stern first, back past the grim port-holes of
‘El Morro,” until she reached blue water and put about.

It being impracticable to get into harbor that night, it was
decided to spend one more day on the pentacrinus grounds,
and then we tried the channel with better success, the
«Emily ” being forced to make almost the entire circuit of
the harbor on account of a big steamer blocking the direct
way to our anchorage. A stiff breeze sent the schooner cut-
ting through the water like a yacht, as she dodged in and out
among the various craft, and at last dropped anchor, as
before, among the Spanish cruisers.

Sunday, May 28th, was passed in resting and in visiting the
city and Botanical Gardens. This is the day on which one
sees the people of a®panish city to the best advantage. In
the evening,
seemed to attract a multitude of citizens of the better classes.

especially, the military concert in Parka Centrale

The next day was spent in preparation to leave for our next
station. The American Consul General had requested us, in
case we were successful in securing Peztacrinus, to present
one to each of three or four prominent officials, in recog-
nition of courtesies extended to us. This we were perfectly
willing to do, and five superb specimens of Pentacrznus were
selected and placed in separate jars bought for the purpose.
Three of these were taken to the office of the Consul, in
order that through him they might be presented to the Goy-
ernor General and Secretary~ General of Cuba. One was
taken for the Consul himself, who had incidentally mentioned
that a similar favor was extended by the “ Albatross” when
she dredged pentacrini off Morro Castle. The gentleman
who delivered these specimens returned with the report that

Sunday Afternoon on Deck.

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NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. gI

the representative of the United States Government had
received this really splendid donation with open contempt,
asserting that the specimens were not crinords. What mental
picture of the crinoid had established itself in the brain of this
official we never discovered, but we left with the conviction
that our representative might ignorantly discredit our attempted
courtesy in the eyes of the Cuban officials. From this time
on an abrupt change was noticed in the attitude of the author-
ities toward the expedition, which was at least suggestive of
adverse influence. Certain it is that no more superb specimens
of these rare and beautiful forms are possessed by any museum
in America than those which were thus wasted on account
of the misconception of the Consul General.

Our schooner was thoroughly examined by the United
States Examining Physician, who gave a clean bill of health,
but told us that we would probably be quarantined at Key
West, for which we cleared, although this was not the next
station at which we designed to work.

All our empty water barrels were filled at Havana, we
being assured that the water supplied was excellent, as indeed
it seemed to be. A few barrels full were caught during a
heavy rain-squall, when all hands turned to and had a regular
wash-day, resulting in a good clean stock of towels and clothes.

The next morning, May 30th, we left Havana for the last
time. well satisfied with our visit to the * Queen of the West
Indies.” and yet anxious to try our fortunes in other fields.
We could not resist the temptation to make one more haul at
the pentacrinus grounds before leaving the region for good,
and sent down the tangles, which came over the rail with tive
good * sea lilies” and a number of fine serpent-stars, after
which we set sail for the port of Bahia Honda, situated on a
bay of that name, about fifty miles west of Havana, in lati-
tude 23°, longitude 83° 13’. The wind was very light, although
fair, and the heat more oppressive than it had been thus far
while we were at sea. The deck was newly oiled and the tar,
liquid with the heat and mixed with the oil, made a pasty
stickiness that was anything but a happy combination. That

g2 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

night we saw numerous large fires along the coast, which we-
concluded were from kilns of some sort. For a while the
wind gave out almost entirely, and it was a question whether
we were going forward or being carried back by the current
of the Gulf Stream, which is here much less perceptible than
off the coast near Havana.

In the morning we found ourselves near an exceedingly
picturesque coast, with high mountains towering above the
low-lying clouds. Some of the peaks were really imposing,
although clothed to their summits with thick forests, with here
and there great patches of bare rocks showing in reddish.
blotches among the green.

No sign of human habitation was to be seen. The shore
was as desolate as a Patagonian coast, and we were at a loss
to krow where Bahia Honda was, having pictured to our-
selves a village, at least, to mark the opening of the bay. A
small coasting schooner was creeping down from the east, and
we decided to hail her, in hopes of securing a pilot acquainted
with the channel into the bay, a place of ill repute to natural-
ists since the “ Blake” was run aground there in the attempt
to get into the harbor under the guidance of an ignorant
native pilot.

The coasting schooner being finally within hailing distance,,
we found that our port had been passed in the night, and
were forced to put back a few miles. Encountering another
native vessel, we fortunately secured a pilot who knew the:
channel into Bahia Honda. He certainly earned his money..
The writer was the only person on board with any practical
knowledge of the Spanish language, and hence was expected
to act as interpreter between the pilot and the crew. Unfort-
unately, however, although able to get along moderately
well under ordinary circumstances, his vocabulary did not
embrace a single word of wautzcal Spanish. Not a sail or
halliard, sheet, jib, or command of any kind could he name or
express or understand in Spanish. The pilot was soon on the
verge of insanity, and the mate completely beside himself at
the extraordinary commands delivered with apparent assur-

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 93

ance by the perspiring interpreter. The more serious the sit-
uation, the more utterly incomprehensible the language of the
pilot, and the more completely at sea was the mate, until the
hapless interpreter saw with consternation that either his rep-
utation or the vessel was to be wrecked, and promptly aban-
doned the former. The pilot then, thanks to a really good
knowledge of seamanship, flew from the wheel to the hal-
liards, back to the wheel, and then sprang with marvelous
agility to the fore-sheet, main-sheet, jib-sheet, or what not,
and thus ran the vessel by himself with a dexterity which cer-
tainly could not be surpassed, and a skill that amazed us all.
This acrobatic performance ended in our dropping anchor
about noon in a quiet little harbor at the end of a deep bay,
affording an excellent protection against storms from any
direction except due north.

The scene was one of ideal tropical beauty. To the west
were high banks and rolling grassy hills, dotted here and there
with tall palms. Eastward was a sombre mangrove swamp,
with its mysterious shades and skeleton network of sprawling
roots rising from the still water. To the south were undulating
hills, with immense sugar plantations, and beyond, the noble
chain of mountains, their sharp peaks piercing above the heavy
and ominous bank of dark clouds, from which the mutterings
of the coming storm could be heard. Soon the rain was fall-
ing as if the “ windows of heaven were opened,” and all hands
were driven below to escape a drenching.

As is usual with these fierce squalls, the storm soon passed,
and was succeeded by a calm and the Cuban mosquitoes, which
came in swarms to sample the blood of the Iowans.

But other matters soon demanded our attention. A small
boat made its appearance, with a man who introduced himself
as the second in command at that port (there was only one
habitable house visible), and politely informed us that our
party could not land without a permit from the Captain of the
Port, who resided in a village “una legua” distant. Previous
knowledge of the Spanish league had taught me that it might
‘be anywhere from two to eight miles, but Captain Flowers and

94 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

I decided to visit “‘ El] Capitan” at once. Landing at an old
dock leading to an abandoned sugar-house, we passed on to
an inhabited house and inquired for horses. There were none
to be had. We glanced at the road and knew that we were
in for an experience with such roads as only Cuba can furnish.
The mud was knee-deep in places, but we plunged in and
started on a tramp of unknown length, through sloughs and
puddles of unknown depth, with just enough concealed stones
and jagged rocks to break the monotony of the walk. The
mosquitoes enjoyed the excursion, however, and our counte-
nances were soon covered with mud splashes, and blood from
the slain insects. Clean collars and shirts were wilted before
half a mile was traversed. Our “ good clothes” were fairly
plastered with mud as sticky as putty, and our good temper
was completely gone.

At this juncture a turn in the road revealed a horseman in
uniform, who proved to be *“ El Capitan” himself, who spoke
about as much English as we did Spanish. He was extremely
affable, but the utmost persuasion, and even an official letter
from the authorities at Havana, could not extract his per-
mission to send a land party for the purpose of exploring the
fauna of the mountain slope before us. His hands were tied,
he said, by strict orders, and it had been reported that a vessel
from the United States with three hundred revolutionists on
board was expected to land somewhere on that coast, and the
unmistakable inference was that he was by no means certain
that the “Emily E. Johnson” was not that vessel. The fact
of ladies being on board failed to convince him of our inno-
cence. We would be permitted to work on the water or in
the water, but not to go more than thirty yards from the shore
line. Thus our cherished plan of doing some naturalizing on
the Island of Cuba was blocked, and we were forced to con-
tent ourselves with the meagre concessions granted. During
the whole of our stay the party was under constant suspicion,
and subjected to repeated visits by the officials and soldiers,
who were always polite, but evidently under orders to scruti-
nize everything and every one on board the schooner.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 95

Upon our return to the vessel we found all hands engaged
in a desperate battle with the mosquitoes. There was little
sleep that night, as a number of the party, finding sleep im-
possible, tramped the deck till morning, making repose out of
the question for those who had learned to endure the pests
from past and oft-repeated experiences. In the morning all
hands, except those whose presence was needed on_ board,
were detailed for work along the shore and in shallow water.

The entomologists and botanists found that the thirty yard
strip of land conceded by * E] Capitan” well repaid careful
exploration. Those interested in Conchology discovered in
the mangrove swamp a splendid field for their favorite pursuit,
and crustaceans and echinoderms were discovered in consider-
able abundance in the quiet shallow water near the shore and
in the swamp. Only three species of birds were secured be-
fore the authorities put a stop to our shooting. Garzetla
candidissima, the little white Egret, was found breeding in
the swamp, several fledgelings being secured and placed in
alcohol. J/cter’s hypomelas (Bonap.), an oriole, was found.
The body was black, shoulders, rump, lower wing coverts and
upper and lower tail coverts bright yellow. The sexes were
colored alike, but a young specimen had the black of the lower
parts behind breast, and entire upper parts replaced by yellow-
ish green. Spendalrs pretrec (Less.),a brightly colored tana-
ger, was the only other bird secured.

It was a decided aggravation to one interested in Orni-
thology to be within sight of the densely wooded slopes of the
Cuban hills, imagination peopling the dense jungles with
abundant bird-life of new and interesting forms, and still be
forbidden by what seemed official stupidity, from exploring the
region at all, although we had been informed that the Govern-
ors of the provinces had been expressly instructed to permit
the landing of parties of our naturalists for just such purposes.
The Governor of this particular province, being, we were told,
some sixty miles distant, was as inaccessible to us as if he had
been at the North Pole.

Mr. Wickham furnishes the following entomological notes:

g6 NatTurRAL History BuLueEtin.

gy of Bahia Honda, as

“Our knowledge of the Entomolo
of other branches of shore work, was necessarily confined to
the strip of thirty yards’ width bordering the shores of the
bay; The first attempts were directed toward an examina-
tion of an old fallen banana stem. ‘The results were three or
four myriopods and a large scorpion. As soon as beating
was commenced, however, a little better luck was had, espe-
cially in the line of weevils, which form here, as in the Baha-
mas, quite a respectable proportion of the fauna. This may
be owing in great part to the difficulty with which these
insects are drowned, and the consequent ease, comparatively
speaking, with which they may thus be carried from place to
place by currents of water. -If we add to this the fact that
the larvee of many of them live in fruits or nuts, or in the
stems of plants, all easily transported by the waves of ocean,
reasons seem not wanting why they should abound. It is
also remarkable that in the West Indies the same species of
weevil may be found on many different sorts of plants.

“Among the weevils may be mentioned Baris chalybea
Boh., a very fine steel-blue species beaten from bushes near
the beach; Baris guadrimaculata Boh. from a plant resem-
bling our jimson-weed, higher up on the hills which skirt the
bay. The latter is a very striking species,— black with two
very large reddish yellow spots before the middle of the
elytra, and two smaller ones at the tip. A Lachnopus, which
a black

beetle with numerous golden spots on the elytra. Under a

may be florzdanus Horn, was found in some numbers,

log by the beach a number of Azchonus were found, but the
species has not yet been picked out from the formidable lot
described by Suffrian in his papers on the Rhynchophora of
Cuba.

“The ELATERID@ were represented chiefly by a species of
Monocrepidius. The CurysoMELIp.£ were not especially nu-
merous, but specimens were obtained of two species belonging
somewhere near J/elachroma and of Luperus malachiordes
Chevr. besides a very pretty little halticid with red thorax

and green elytra. No Adephaga were found near the

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 97

anchorage, but near the mouth of the bay, while on a trip for
turtles, Crcindela tortuosa and C. olivacea were both taken.

“Spiders were tolerably numerous, the Arrima: forming a
conspicuous feature among them. A few Lepidoptera, chiefly
micros, were taken on a little island in the bay.”

The most interesting crustaceans were the land-crabs. A
large species of Geocarcinus, common here, is of a bluish
grey color, and esteemed a delicacy by the natives.

The modifications of the crustacean anatomy, to subserve
the purposes of an essentially terrestrial life, form an interest-
ing study. The whole structure connected with respiration is
specialized for the purpose of making a little water go a long
way. Externally we notice the unusally hard and dense shell
covering the gill-chamber. Below, the branchial region is
covered with a dense spongy mass of matted hairs, excellently
adapted to the retention of moisture, and preventing evapora-
tion through the carapace. The openings around the maxil-
lipeds are lined with similar hairy brushes for the same pur-
pose. Opening the branchial chamber, we find it lined with
a thick, smooth membrane bearing in texture a remarkable
resemblance to India-rubber, and apparently just as impervi-
ous to water. The eight pairs of gills are stiff and erect, and
do not collapse or mat together when out of the water, as do
those of ordinary crabs. <A beautiful contrivance exists for
keeping these structures moist so long as even a little water
remains in the bottom of the branchial chamber. Attached to
the third maxilliped is a long thin curved plate bearing a
brushy fringe on its edge. This plate is directed backward
and fitted perfectly over the outer surfaces of the gills, so
that the animal, by a motion of the maxilliped, can dip this
curved brush in the water at the bottom of the branchial
chamber, and apply it in the most effective manner to the
outer surfaces of all the gills. On the inner surfaces of the
gills two smaller brushes similarly arranged serve to apply the
water. These inner brushes are attached to, and worked by,
the second and third maxillipeds, the larger of the two being
attached to the first, and the smaller to the second maxilliped.

98 NatTuRAL History BULLETIN.

A small crab belonging to the genus Sesarma was very
abundant on the pilings of an old wharf and on the sprawling
roots of the mangroves. The carapace is an oblong square,
wider in front, and with straight lateral and anterior margins
the latter being suddenly deflected betwéen the widely sepa-
rated eyes. The rather small chele have bright red fin-
gers, and are haired on their external surfaces. A large num.
ber of specimens were secured, but they were all females.

Around the spreading aquatic roots of the mangroves a
large assemblage of mollusks finds a secure and congenial
abiding place. At low tide our conchologists, Messrs. Drew
and Rogers, reaped a rich harvest by exploring the mangrove
swamp in one of the boats. The sprawling roots were then
above water, and were fairly bristling in places with mollusca
of many kinds. Among the gasteropods the following genera
were represented: JZurex, Watica, Nerita, Cerithium, Littor-
ma, Potamides, Fiussurella, and Bulla.

The Lamellibranchiata were very abundant in individuals,
although the species were not numerous. Arca noe and A.
transversa were secured in quantities. J/eleagrina meleagris
formed large clumps of shells attached to the mangrove roots.
We could not learn that they were ever collected by the
natives, or that pearls were found in them. A very fine Pinna
was abundant with the costae ornamented with rows of long
tubular spines. A species of Asaphzs was secured which has
the umbo colored a delicate pink.

The most abundant echinoderm found here was Zoxopneus-
tes vartegatus, which furnished ample material for our students
to undertake a careful study of the echinoid anatomy. Micro-
scopes could be used to advantage while our vessel was float-
ing on the quiet waters of the bay, and the cabin-top proved
as good a laboratory table as could have been devised.
Arbacea punctulata was the only other echinoid found in
abundance.

Several species of serpent-stars were found, but these forms
seem to prefer purer water than that of this bay.

A few corals of the reef-building species were collected at

M. F. LINDER, DEL.
Crabs from Egg Island and Bahia Honda.

Fig.1. PopoCHELA RIISEI. Stimp.

Fig. 2. AratTus prsonr. M. Edw.

Fig.

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NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 99

this station. Oculina varicosa, Porites clavaria, Siderastrea
galaxea, Meandrina sinuosa, and M. clivosa, were found attain-
ing a respectable size and apparently thriving in water that
was very impure, so much so that the occurrence of reef-build-
ing corals was a surprise to us.

At night the water was alive with a large and beautiful
species of ctenophore. It would be hard to find more beauti-
ful objects than these animals as they appeared in the collecting

tubs, with the luminous waves of light pulsating rhythmically
along the ambulacral zones. When free on the surface of the
waters of the bay these acalephs move with considerable
speed, tracing curves and circles of fire which intersect each
other in a bewildering maze of brightness.

A large number of very fine actinians were found at Bahia
Honda. Indeed these beautiful forms were more abundant
here than at any other station at which we collected. Various
experiments were made with a view to ascertaining a satis-
factory method of killing these animals with the tentacles fully
expanded. ‘The best success attended the use of water heated
to a point just bearable with the hand. A sudden immersion °
in this water killed a number of specimens expanded in a very
satisfactory manner. One species with exceedingly long non-
retractile tentacles was found to have stinging powers much
more pronounced than was possessed by any other species.
The tentacles not being able to seek safety in retraction, had
evidently secured immunity from attack by unusually effective
nematocysts.

Miss Bertha Wilson has kindly furnished the following
notes on the flora of this region:

“The plants found at Bahia Honda were similar to those
secured at Egg Island. Along the shore the sea-loving cocoa-
nut spread its feathery tops, and underneath bristled the
Agave or Pita-plants as before, intermixed with the prickly-
pear cactus. .

«The mangrove swamps are quite extensive, and we were
given a good opportunity to study these curiosities, which
year by year are stealing the land from the ocean. They

>

100 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

grow not only at the water line but in the water itself with
their trunks often immersed to some length. Their appropri-
ation of land from Neptune’s realm as well as the continua-
tion of the species is accomplished in two ways; jirst—By
the growth and spreading of the roots, which issue from the
parent trunk even at some distance above the water, and
arching downward establish themselves in the mud. Roots
also issue from the branches above in the manner of the
banyan tree. As a result there is an intricate tangle of
slender twisted roots in the mazes of which is lodged ulti-
mately a wealth of mollusks, crustaceans and sea-mosses
swept up by the waves. Second— By aerial germination of
the seed, which pushes down its long radicle before it leaves
the parent tree, and is already well started on its career
before it finally drops down into the water, and sinks into
the mud. The flower is small and pale yellow; the fruit is a
bean-like pod.

«The Fan-palms also grow in the tangles along the
shore, overshadowed by the round fleshy leaves of the ‘ sea-
grape’ with its inconspicuous panicles of greenish flowers.
Further inland are the same tall hedges of sage-brush or
lantanas, with white moon-flowers and blazing passion-vines
trailing over them. A little further from the shore in an old
sugar-cane field, we found the small orange-flowered lantana
of our green-houses, and the coarse and gaudy Zzunia cher-
ished in our old-time gardens. There were several species
of Solanums with blue-black berries and flowers varying
from a small white star-like affair to a pinkish lavender wheel.

«The Leguminose are omnipresent in one form or another,
and the showy pea-vine twined in among some wild tomato
plants. A species of milkweed with greenish white flowers
was common.

«The Composite, numerous and showy and, for the most
part, low-growing forms, have not yet been identified.

“One peculiar tree noted along the banks had a tough,
corky bark and when bruised exuded a milky, resinous fluid.
The flowers were fragrant and not unlike those of the orange

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. IOI

in general appearance. Unfortunately we did not succeed in
satisfactorily classifying this either. Ona small island in the
harbor was an oleander conspicuous with its load of pink
blossoms, and we also found there a single cotton plant, show-
ing every phase of frutition from the curiously shaped lemon-
colored flowers to the fluffy cotton seeds. Though both were
in this instance probably planted by man, they often grow
wild in this climate. The hibiscus also flourishes here. At
Havana we saw great bush-like affairs with gorgeous rose-
red blooms as large as a tea-cup.

“There are common to this region also, trees remarkable
for their gorgeous blossoms and the beauty of their foliage.
Possibly the most noticeable is Poncrana regia, the common
park tree at Havana. It grows about thirty feet high, having
delicate fern-like foliage, and is crowned with great masses of
flaming scarlet blossoms that make the tree a blaze of color.
Another tree, called by the natives the ‘Geiger tree,’ has
clusters of wheel-shaped flowers, vivid orange in color.

«Along the banks at Bahia Honda we also saw the broad,
waving, banner-like leaves of the banana, unfolding like a
mammoth Indian maize, the leaves sheathing the stem till a
stout trunk is formed; and hanging down almost within our
reach was a bud-shaped bunch of blood-red leaf-life bracts, <
velvet covering for the tiny flowers within, destined ultimately
to develop into the yellow bananas of our markets. The plan-
tain is similar in growth. We saw here also the bright green
ribbon-like leaves of the sugar-cane, and the ‘pines’ with
their whorl of slender, spiny leaves growing to a height of
three to four feet, and a single pineapple at least nestled
snugly in their midst.

“A great variety of fruits are common in the island. Man-
gos were brought us. They grow on a tree from thirty to
forty feet high, with dense, glossy, spreading foliage. The
fruit is about the size of an apple, a little oblong in shape. and
mottled green and brown and yellow or reddish without, and
a fine golden yellow within, not unlike a peach. There is
often a strong flavor of turpentine, and a relish for them must

102 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.
be acquired. The custard-apples, pawpaws and _ sour-sops
belong to the same family, though the fruits are very different
in appearance. The sapodillas are about the size of an apple
and russet colored, with a sickening sweetish taste not unlike
a pear that has ripened a day too long in the sun. The ‘rose
apples’ are about the size of a large crab, and as I remember
them are cream colored, with a rosy flush, and have a strong
flavor of rose. The ‘mameys’ belong to the same family.
“Unfortunately many of the fruits common to the tropic
markets we did not have an opportunity to see growing, and
so the characteristics of their foliage or their individual peculi-
arities cannot be described.”

CHAPTER’ V.
THE DRY TORTUGAS.

Between the vicious attacks of the Cuban mosquitoes and
the suspicious attitude of the authorities, our stay at Bahia
Ilonda, although profitable from a scientific standpoint, was
attended with considerable physical and mental discomfort. A
general desire to get out-of this deep landlocked bay, and a
longing for blue water, instead of the tortuous channel that lay
between the “Emily” and freedom, made itself manifest be-
fore forty-eight hours had been spent at this port.

During the second day of our stay we received a call from
the Captain of the Port of Mariel, about twenty-two miles east
of Bahia Honda. This gentleman seemed very anxious that
we should visit his Pailiwick, and extended the courtesies of
the town with a cordial politeness that was tempting, to say the
least. Our plans, however, did not include any purely social
functions, nor would our appearance at that time among the
élite of Mariel tend to impress the Cuban gentlefolk with an
adequate respect for the “ Americanos.” Between exposure
to sun and wind, and the bumps and blotches caused by the
mosquitoes, our faces had assumed an appearance which could
not be regarded as creditable, although it was productive of
no little mirth among ourselves. One can hardly imagine
until he has seen it, how completely a usually dignified counte-
nance can be transformed by a lump on the upper lip, or a
deeply sunburnt and repeatedly peeled nose.

Early in the morning of Saturday, June 3rd, the welcome
sound of the clanking anchor-chain proclaimed that we were
to make the attempt, at least, to leave this inhospitable bay.
The mists of the morning lay heavy on the water, and the

104 NaATuRAL History BULLETIN.

threatening clouds indicated squally weather. ‘The pilot who
had so efficiently brought us into our anchorage was on hand
to take us out again. He brought along two of his own sail-
ors, having doubtless a vivid recollection of his former un-
pleasant experience while attempting to have Spanish orders
understood by an American crew.

The channel is a dangerous one, apparently more so than
is indicated by the chart, and I would not advise any future
expedition to attempt it. It will be remembered that it was
in the effort to get into Bahia Honda that the “« Blake” was
run aground, and lost several weeks of most valuable time.
Those present on that occasion seem to have a distinct im-
pression that the misfortune was by no means accidental.

The Captain of the Port had advised us that he would come
aboard to give us our clearance or dismissal, there being no
custom-house at Bahia Honda, but finally sent word that we
could drop down to the mouth of the harbor and there await
the necessary papers. While thus detained, a boat was sent
ashore for the purpose of securing some turtles from the
fishermen who lived in a little hamlet near the harbor mouth.
The turtles, loggerhead and green turtles4$#were kept in a small
enclosure surrounded by a paling or fence. When one was
wanted it was killed by cutting its throat with an ax. The
boat returned with a fine specimen of each species, and the
bleached skull of a loggerhead, which Mr. Wickham picked
up on the beach. The turtles had been purchased or rather
traded, for a half-barrel of corned beef which had become a
little too pronounced in flavor to suit the Iowans, but seemed
just to the taste of the Cuban fishermen, to whom beef in any
form is a rarity anda luxury. The green turtle was found to
be a female, with eggs in all stages of development from little
yellow spheres no larger than peas to fully matured eggs
with the leathery white membrane. There were such a quan-
tity that we were surfeited with them before they were all
eaten. The meat of the green turtle is excellent, and the
amount furnished by the large specimen secured at this time
was amazing. It can be cooked in various ways, and proved a

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 105

g siege of salt meat. Unfortunately

5

grateful relief after the lon
we put to sea before the party enjoyed their first meal of
green-turtle steaks, and once in rough water the capacity to
enjoy anything eatable was completely gone, so far as several
of our company were concerned.

One of the most surprising things about these giant reptiles
is the smallness of their brain, a specimen weighing over two
hundred pounds having a brain no larger than one’s finger,
reminding one of the diminutive cerebral development of the
old-fashioned mammals pictured in our geological text-books.
Portions of the viscera were saved in alcohol for future study.
One turtle was skinned and the other skeletonized for museum
specimens.

It was with no little relief that we finally found ourselves
outside the entrance to the treacherous channel into this bay,
and turned the pilot and his men adrift with many expressions
of good-will toward the man who had not only proved a com-
petent pilot, but a sailor able to manage a one-hundred-and
fifteen-ton schooner by himself.

Our main object in visiting Bahia Honda had been to
attempt to secure specimens of that rarest of crinoids, //olopus
rangei (Carpenter). It was here that Prof. Alexander Agas-
siz had secured a specimen, and he it was who suggested the
possibility of our striking a spot rich in this interesting species,
We found, however, that the bottom dropped so suddenly
just outside the harbor that we could not find it with the
two-hundred-fathom sounding-line without going nearer to
the reefs than prudence would allow, especially with a sailing
vessel. We then put over the tangle-bar and paid out our
entire stock of wire rope, three hundred fathoms, but failed
to reach bottom. Evening was approaching, the weather
looked threatening, and above all there was a fair wind for
Key West, and we concluded it was wise to give up the
Flolopus, and set sail for American territory. It took no great
discernment to see that the moment the stern of the “Emily
E. Johnson” was pointed squarely toward the Cuban coast
was one of intense relief to Captain Flowers, whose patience

106 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

had been sorely tried by the attitude of the officials and the
repeated visits of the native soldiery to our vessel. It was no
slight ordeal, moreover, to trust one’s schooner to a piratical
looking Spaniard who couldn’t speak a word of honest English
even to save a vessel.

On the morning of Sunday, June 4th, Marquesas Buoy was
sighted, and the whole day was spent in beating against the
wind and current toward Key West. This strong current
setting westward was something of a surprise to us, as we
had expected the aid of the Gulf Stream at this time. The
westward flow is probably due largely to the backset or eddy
from the Gulf Stream moving in the opposite direction. This
westward, inshore current we found to vary considerably
during our stay along the Keys, being greatly affected by the
winds and tides. The various channels between the Keys
leading from the Gulf to the Atlantic side served to compli-
cate matters, so that the currents became a perplexing prob-
lem. The various “rips” caused by these conflicting currents
would doubtless afford good collecting grounds for pelagic
material. As a general thing these currents flow from the
Atlantic to the Gulf side during the rise of the tide, and in the
opposite direction during its ebb. Late in the afternoon we
made Sand Key Light, near Key West, and stood off and on
all night, not being willing to risk running into the harbor
during the darkness.

At 8:30 the next morning a pilot came aboard, one that
spoke good American and could give us the news, such as
there was. The charge for pilotage at Key West is three
dollars per foot for the draught of the vessel each way. If
the master of a vessel is willing to risk it without a pilot, he
can do so by paying one-half the regular pilotage for the
privilege. The tariff, therefore, for a vessel the size of ours
was eighteen dollars each way, with a pilot, or nine dollars
each way without. As we eventually found it necessary to
run into Key West a number of times, the pilotage would
have been a serious matter to our slender exchequer, had it
not been for the generosity of the Pilots’ Association at Key

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 107

West, which agreed to charge us one full rate and then allow
us to run in and out without charge for the remainder of our
stay in that region, a courtesy for which we were indeed
thankful.

The run into the harbor was delightful, the day being
bright, the waters exquisitely tinted over the shoals, and the
city, guarded by grim old Fort Taylor, appearing to best
advantage in contrast with the desolation of Bahia Honda.
But our reception here was even worse than at the Cuban
port. The quarantine officer came aboard, surveyed with
evident surprise the disreputable looking company, ascer-
tained that we had cleared last from Havana, and then indig-
nantly demanded why we came to Key West. We endeavored
to prove our respectability, apparently with questionable suc-
cess; but the doctor said that there was nothing for him to do
but put us in quarantine for fifteen days, according to the law
enforced after June Ist against vessels coming from Havana.
After further consideration, he concluded to send us direct to
the Dry Tortugas to be fumigated, after which we would be
detained five days and then discharged from quarantine,
provided no sickness occurred on the vessel in the meantime.
It must be confessed that our party was not particularly dis-
mayed by this decision, having been informed by the United
States Examining Physician at Havana that the Tortugas
would probably be our fate upon reporting at Key West.
Knowing that these islands, so bleak and repellent to most
people, would prove an excellent station for the study of
marine biology, we were rather pleased than otherwise at the
prospect of a few days’ visit in that region, under the protec-
tion of the United States government. The doctor was evi-
dently astonished at the equanimity with which we accepted
the situation, being doubtless accustomed to loud lamentations,
or worse, from those whom duty compelled him to send to the
fumigating station.

We remained between the yellow buoys in Key West Har-
bor until our mail could be brought aboard by the doctor’s
man. A grewsome feeling came over us at the thought of

tos NatTuraAt History BULLETIN.

our absolute isolation in that scene which seemed almost met-
ropolitan after our recent experiences. Our vessel was as
completely shunned as if it were the royal barge of “ Yellow
Jack” himself. Not even a fisherman’s boat or a banana-man
came within hailing distance. Two of our party had been so
persistently seasick that they longed to leave the schooner and
go overland to their home, but the doctor, backed by the
majesty of the United States law, said “No.” ‘The situation,
although regarded good-humoredly by most of our party, was
a source of bitter trial to others, to whom the mail brought sad
news of death and sickness at home, and the utter inability to
fly to the afflicted loved ones added cruel suffering to that
necessarily caused by the sorrowful tidings.

At half past two p. m. the anchor was shipped and the
“Kmily E. Johnson” retraced her course without a_ pilot,
passed out beyond Sand Key Light, and bore away for the
Tortugas with a good sailing breeze astern, the vessel swing-
ing along with the lazy roll and gentle swish of waters under
the bows, indicating that one sail is boomed out to starboard
and the other to port, or that she is sailing “wing and wing.”
By six o’clock the next morning, June 6th, we were anchored
safely between the yellow buoys under the guns of Fort Jef-
ferson at the Dry Tortugas, the “Land’s End” of the Gulf
coast, given over now to the government’s unfortunate * Yel-
low Jack” patients and suspects.

The old fort looked grim enough from the outside, with its
row of big guns on the parapet and double row of ports below.
We little thought, as we gazed upon the huge structure, how
much of comfort and pleasure was stored up there for us, but
simply waited to see what the officials were going to do with
us next.

After waiting some time, a little sail-boat rounded an angle
of the fort and sped across the green water, bearing a gentle-
man in a somewhat faded uniform, who it seemed, was left in
charge of the quarantine station in the absence of the regular
surgeon. Having examined our papers and glanced with
something of consternation at the motley company on board,

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 109:

he informed us that we must bring the vessel up to the dock
for the fumigation. The wind would have been directly in the
teeth of a vessel trying to reach the dock by the only visible
channel, and we asked for a tug to tow us in. No tug nor
steam vessel of any kind was at the station, it seemed. ‘ Well,
then,” said Captain Flowers, “give us a kedge-anchor and we

99

will ‘kedge’ in.” This also was not to be had at the Tor-
tugas, and we began to think that it was a trifle unreasonable
to expect a sailing vessel to get up to that dock, and indeed
further reflection has confirmed that idea. During about four-
fifths of the quarantine season the wind blows directly ahead
for any vessel trying to work up that channel to the fumigat-
ing dock. The passage is too narrow to permit any but very
small craft to beat through it, and the government insists on
all vessels coming to the dock for fumigation, without provid-
ing any steam power, or even a spare kedge-anchor, where-
with to make it possible to comply with the regulation.

For our part, we were not at all concerned in hurrying
matters, but proceeded to get out our collecting gear, feeling
sure that the shores of the surrounding islets,and the extensive
sand-flats showing in brightest green beneath the water,
would afford entertainment until Providence should send a fair
wind, or the government a tug. ‘The boats were lowered, and
a party set out for Bird Key, the largest of the uninhabited
islets of the group. We were not permitted as yet to land on
Garden Key or Loggerhead Key, upon the former of which
is the fort, and upon the latter a light-house. Captain
Flowers and I took the ship’s boat and a couple of the crew,
with the intention of enjoying a plunge in the clear water
around some low, sandy islands near the fort. Upon nearing

5
the shore, we noticed a number of black objects moving along

in the shallow water. We at first thought that they were
porpoises, although they did not act like them. A few strokes
of the oars brought us right into the midst of the creatures,
and we found with wonder, and a touch of consternation, that
the shoal was fairly alive with sharks! There must have been
at least seventy-five of these ugly animals in the immediate

IIo NATURAL History BULLETIN.

vicinity of the boat, which did not seem to alarm them in the
least. ‘They glided under and around us with the utmost
unconcern. A number of them were in such shallow water
that their backs were uncovered, and several lay belly up,
flapping the water with their fins.

None of the occupants of the boat had ever before seen so
many sharks together, and the experience was exciting as well
as interesting. Unfortunately we had no weapons with us.
We tried clubbing the sharks on the head with oar-handles,
but one might as well attempt to smash a base-ball with a
shingle. The sharks seemed to imagine that the blows came
from their fellows, and would savagely attack the nearest
companion until we had three or four of them fighting and
struggling violently under the boat. ‘This was more than we
could stand with any comfort, and-so we left the shoals and
agreed to be satisfied with a brief dip in very shallow water
on the other side of the islet, instead of enjoying the luxurious
swim which we had anticipated.

We afterwards attacked these sharks with proper weapons,
and found them to be of an entirely harmless species called
‘nurse sharks” ( Gzzglymostoma cirratum), with small mouths
armed with blunt teeth instead of the formidable dental array
of the dangerous species. It seems that this was the mating
season for the nurse sharks, and they had resorted in large
numbers to the shallow waters for purposes of courtship. Two
specimens of this huge fish were secured, the largest being
eight feet long and very bulky, the head being considerably
broader than in any other species of shark captured by us.
The skin was wonderfully tough, rendering it quite difficult
to penetrate it with the ordinary “grains” which we had
brought for such purposes.

The party from Bird Key returned with a quantity of shal-
low-water material, and were enthusiastic over the richness of
the field which they had visited. The ornithologists had
secured series of man-o’-war birds, noddy terns and _ bridled
terns. A curious fact regarding the man-o’-war birds is the
quickness with which they will desert a favorite rookery after

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. LET

being disturbed. On this occasion the air above Bird Key
was fairly black with these birds, but they left the vicinity
entirely after a few shots were fired, and did not return at all
during our stay at the Tortugas. This conduct is in marked
contrast with that of the noddy tern, for instance, which seems
unusually slow to realize the danger incurred by the approach
of man.

In the afternoon the barkentine “ Robert E. Patterson” cast
anchor not far from us, and later the pilot boat “Sea Foam”
came from Key West, bringing the quarantine officer, Dr.
David R. Murray, and another batch of mail for us. Dr.
Murray could not relax the stringency of the quarantine laws
for our benefit, and insisted politely, but firmly, that we should
bring the “Emily E. Johnson” up to the fumigating dock.
Through his friendly offices, however, our enforced stay at
the dreaded yellow fever detention station was rendered not
only comfortable, but delightful. Vhe old fort, no longer used
for military purposes but only as a quarantine station, was
hospitably thrown open to our party, and no pains were spared
to make us comfortable. The ladies of the expedition were
furnished with delightful quarters in rooms placed at their dis-
posal by Dr. Goodman, whose family was away. Commodious
quarters they were, especially when contrasted with those on
the schooner. Real beds with snowy linen proved a luxury,
while late periodicals, easy chairs and plenty of cool, fresh
water, were appreciated as only those who have been without
these comforts for several weeks can understand.

Fort Jefferson is said to be the second fortification in
America in point of size. it was built before the war, and was
expected to be of service in commanding the entrance to the
Gulf from the Florida Straits. We were told that it had cost
the United States government fifteen million dollars, and yet
not one of the great guns which surmount the parapet and point
out of the embrasures below, has ever been fired with hostile
intent. No better example could be found of the fruitless cost
of war than this colossal and dismantled fort on the loneliest
of lonely spots. Everything is going to ruin. The big guns

Te) Naturawt History BULLETIN.

are toppling over on their decaying platforms; the powder-
houses and magazines are in ruins; great piles of shot and
shell are covered with ivy and overarched with the graceful
fronds of cocoanut palms, forming a fit emblem of peace
triumphant over war. Large openings have been cut through
the walls of the fort to insure the entrance of fresh sea-air for
the benefit of the yellow fever victims, who frequently have to
fight their battles with the king of terrors within the walls.
No call of bugle or tramp of armed men is heard. The troops
have long since departed for good, leaving this great monu-
ment of a nation’s waste to the half-dozen or more persons
who are needed to do the work of the quarantine station. It
is not probable that a single one of the several scores of big
guns will ever be removed, as no one is likely to be found will-
ing to incur the necessary expense for the sake of old iron,
however great the quantity. This originally magnificent fort
will gradually crumble away and sink with its guns and balls
and shells to the sea-level, where the drifting sands will ulti-
mately furnish a grave, and desolation reign supreme.

The members of our party found it delightful to explore the
vast ruin, and to pry into its secrets. Wandering within the
dimly lit casemates, surrounded by massive masonry, and
occasionally sighting along the big guns to the quiet waters
without, we at length came to a gloomy cell which had a part
in a national tragedy; for here was confined the prisoner Dr.
Mudd, who was thus punished for dressing the broken leg of
Booth, the slayer of Lincoln. Several interesting stories
were told of him. Once, it is said, he crawled into the
muzzle of one of the big guns, hoping to hide until an
opportunity presented itself for escape. On another occasion,
when the dreaded “Yellow Jack” was in possession of the fort
and claiming its soldier victims, Dr. Mudd rendered such
heroic service in his professional ministrations that he was
recommended for presidential clemency, which was ultimately
exercised in his behalf. Within each of the bastions is a great
cistern of rain-mater, enough to supply a good sized army, and
in addition there is a large tank of excellent water on the fumi-

ae

TT oe ee

The Soldier’s Barracks, Fort Jefferson. G. L. H.

.

+
Aaa

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 113

gating dock. Probably the most important structure about
the fort is the light-house, which, with its neighbor on Logger-
head Key, saves many a vessel from going onto the treacher-
ous reefs and shallows abounding in the adjacent waters.

The fort is surrounded by a sea-wall enclosing a broad and
shallow moat, which we ultimately discovered was nothing
more or less than a magnificent aquarium stocked with inter-
esting marine forms. An ample supply of fresh sea-water is
brought in with every tide. The enclosed water is smooth
and unruffled by the wind, affording a sheltered home for
countless animals of the more lowly kinds, and furnishing one
of the very best opportunities tor collecting and study that we
encountered during our cruise.

Almost all of Garden Key is occupied by the fort, and from
it can be seen the larger islets of the Tortugas group. A
little south of west lies the largest, Loggerhead Key, which
appears to be about a mile in length, and supports consider-
able vegetation, most of which is the result of the thrifty
efforts of the light-keepers and their families. There is a
comfortable house surrounded by fruit-trees of several kinds.
The island is bordered on the inside by extensive shallows.
The next largest Key, Bird Key, lies to the south-west of the
fort, and is much nearer than Loggerhead Key. It is almost
covered with a thick growth of wiry bushes, among which
are placed the nests of multitudes of noddy terns and “egg
birds,’ or bridled terns. The birds rise in clouds on the
approach of man, having suffered often from the incursions of
egg collectors.

Several photographs were taken of these flocks of sea-birds,
but the result was a surprise to all who had seen the birds
themselves. In one of the most successful of these photo-
graphs only about sixty birds can be counted. Those who
had seen the flock as it appeared when the exposure was
made, would have described it by saying that the birds rose
in a cloud; that there were thousands of them in the field
exposed to the camera. Any one who has fired with a shot-
gun at a flock of flying birds has noticed that he is likely to

114 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

miss bagging any of them unless he picks out a particular bird
and aims directly at that. It is probable that the rapid circling
of the birds over Bird Key had the effect of creating an
optical illusion, whereby their number is greatly multiplied.
Again, the eyes not being focused on any particular individual,
the apparent number is double the actual number. A very
simple experiment will illustrate this principle. ‘Take a white
sheet of paper and make a number of perforations in a group
with the point of a penknife; then hold the paper between
your eyes and the light. If the sight is focused directly on
the holes, their apparent number will be twenty. If, how-
ever, the sight is directed ina general way toward the surface
of the paper, without reference to the perforations, there will
presently appear two instead of one group of holes. In other
words, their number will apparently be doubled. It is thus
evident that the number of flying birds is multiplied first by
the optical illusion caused by the motion, and again by another
optical illusion caused by the sight not being focused.

On Bird Key we found two or three graves of sailors who.
had been buried in this lonely spot. There was something
peculiarly desolate in the surroundings. ‘The glare of the
sun on the white coral sand, the swish of the wind through
the low scraggy vegetation, the rustle of the grotesque land-
crabs as they scurry away in the grass, and the screaming of
the circling gulls and terns, convey an idea of dreariness,
intensified by a lack of repose not in harmony with the rude
graves with their weather-worn head-boards.

A short distance to the east of Garden Key are a couple of
small, bare islets called Garden Key Reefs, while Bush Key
lies, almost bare of vegetation, several miles to the northeast.
East Key, the only other of the group visited by us, lies almost
directly east of Bush Key, and is barely visible from the deck
of a vessel at the fumigating dock. ‘There seem to be no
indigenous trees on any of the islands forming the Tortugas
group. Quite a number of cocoanut palms and other useful
trees attain a very satisfactory growth on Garden Key and
Loggerhead Key. The islands seem to be composed entirely

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. TES

of sand and rock formed from the skeletons of animals of
various sorts, and also from the secretions of corallines. The
latter, indeed, are regarded by some authors, e. g., Prof.
Louis Agassiz, as furnishing the main material for some of the
larger Keys. Of even more interest than the Keys, at least
from the naturalist’s standpoint, are the reefs which almost
encircle the whole Tortugas group. During a heavy gale the
breakers are seen to form an often interruped but still quite
distinct line around almost the entire horizon, giving one the
impression that the form is essentially that of an atoll. These
reefs, especially the one stretching to the south and east of
Garden Key, were objects of repeated visits by parties from
our schooner, affording an opportunity to observe some of the
phenomena included in the ever interesting coral-reef problem.

Although no new facts were discovered beyond those men-
tioned by the older and the younger Agassiz, we found it well
worth our while to see some of these facts for ourselves, as
they are presented in connection with one of the youngest
reefs of the whole system in process of forming an extension
of the peninsula of Florida.

We were unable to examine the outer or southern face of
the reef, as the breakers came in with great force during the
whole of our stay, although at times it was apparently quite
calm. We enjoyed the experience, however, of wading
around on the top of the reef and seeing the manner in which
the debris is constantly being thrown inward and broken into
finer and finer fragments, until the bottom some distance in
from the exposed face of the reef is covered with a fine sand
or mud with only occasional fragments of coral of any consid-
erable size. On these mud-flats we found a few living corals
and hosts of serpent-stars, echini and mollusks.

One of our very best collecting grounds at the Tortugas
was in the extensive shallows stretching out northward from
Bird Key. The amount of coral, especially the madrepores,
which we found around these islands was not so great as we
had anticipated, on account of a considerable portion having
recently been killed by exceptionally low tides.

116 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

Two days passed after we anchored off Fort Jefferson be-
fore we could get around to the fumigating dock. One of the
men employed at the station finally agreed to pilot us through
a channel which led around west and south of the fort, and by
skillful handling the schooner reached the buoy near the
fumigating dock, where she was compelled to wait two days
more before the vessel preceding her, the barkentine “‘ Robert
EK. Patterson,” was fumigated and discharged. Our time
came, however, on Saturday, June 9th, when Dr. Murray
took the “* Emily E. Johnson” in hand and put her through the
process required by the United States quarantine laws.

First all the baggage, equipment, stores, and in fact every-
thing movable, was taken from the vessel and placed on the
dock. Then the baggage, especially clothes exposed during
our visit to Havana, and the bedding, including the mattresses,
were placed in a car which was in effect an immense iron
crate on wheels. This crate, with its load of clothes and bed-
ding, was run into a huge vat through a door which was
hermetically sealed by screw-fastenings and clamps. The
interior of the vat was heated to two hundred degrees with a
dry heat maintained for about forty minutes. Hot steam was
next admitted, and the contents of the vat subjected to steam
heat for another forty minutes. After this the dry heat was
again introduced for the purpose of drying the clothes and
bedding. The door was then opened, the car run out again,
and its contents spread out for the purpose of completing the
drying process by exposure to the sun and air.

All of the bedding and most of the clothes came out of this
process without injury, but some of the ladies’ dresses were
ruined. Brass buttons were corroded, and a rubber fountain
pen carelessly left in a vest pocket was bent almost to a semi-
circle. It is doubtful if the germs of yellow fever or any other
living thing could go through this process and live. It is for-
tunate, however, that our party possessed very little valuable
clothing, as any but rough apparel would be liable to serious
if not irreparable, injury. The stores, more particularly the
provisions, were not subjected to the fumigating process, but
were locked up in the store-room on the dock.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 117

Meanwhile the vessel was thoroughly washed above and
below, every article on deck, as well as the entire cabin,
galley and hold, being carefully gone over with a solution of
mercuric bichloride. The hatches were then battened down
and sealed, the cabin doors and windows closed, and quantities
of dense sulphur fumes forced into the hold by means of a
steam fan. For several hours these fumes were poured in great
volumes through a large hose-pipe, after which the hatches
were kept down for about eighteen hours. A kettle of burn-
ing sulphur was placed in the cabin and another in the galley.

This process would seem to be sufficiently thorough to
insure the destruction of any living germs, and yet there
are reasons to suppose that there is room for failure. There
is no ground for assuming that the bacilli of yellow fever, if
such there be, would not find lodgment in the provisions as
easily as almost anywhere else, and yet the provisions are
necessarily exempt from the fumigating process. Aside from
this, however, the fumigation was of real benefit to us, as it
resulted in a complete cleansing of the vessel and a renovating
of our effects, besides affording us an opportunity to re-
arrange and re-stow our stores and collections, a thing which
would under other conditions have been almost impossible to
accomplish. We had here an ample dock upon which to work,
with no hangers-on to molest our effects, as would have been
the case at any other available port. We were also permitted
to fill all our water casks with excellent rain-water from the
huge tank on the dock, from which a hose was_ passed
directly into the hold of the schooner.

On the whole, we regarded the enforced visit to. the Dry
Tortugas as a decided benefit to us from a sanitary stand-
point. It is exceedingly difficult to keep so small a vessel
occupied by twenty-eight persons, really sweet and clean
while cruising in the heat of the tropics, and our complete free-
dom from sickness throughout the cruise may be largely due
to the kind although enforced ministrations of Dr. Murray
and his associates.

The Dry Tortugas is probably the best station on ou,

118 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

southern coast for marine biological work. The richness of
the surface and shallow-water fauna is astonishing. Our
expedition did no dredging in the adjacent deeper water, but
a few hours’ work in dredging across the channel on the inside
of Garden Key was amply repaid. Here, too, it is possible to
study coral islands in their incipiency, as it were, and the com-
parison of the faunz of the various Florida Keys from Cape
Florida to the Tortugas should yield a complete demonstra-
tion of some of the fundamental laws of geographicai distribu-
tion. It would be most instructive, for instance, for a compe-
tent entomologist to undertake such an examination, confining
his studies, of course, to insects.

I do not think that a single land-bird was seen on the
Tortugas, a fact somewhat surprising at first thought, as one
would naturally expect that the comparatively short spaces
between the various Keys would not serve as an effective
barrier to flying creatures.! The explanation may be found
in the newness of these islands on the one hand and, what is
probably more potent, the further fact that the ga/es rarely
blow directly from the east so as to carry the birds from the
mainland or more easterly Keys to the westward, although a
moderate breeze often blows directly from the Marquesas. It
is also important to note that there is no migration route down
the peninsula of Florida, nearly all of the land-birds taking the
route via the Mexican side of the Guif or else wintering in the
southern states. We thus find that no land-birds seem to have
established themselves on the Tortugas, although there are a
number of familiar species on the Bermuda Islands, which lie
about six hundred miles due east of Charleston, South Caro-
lina. The explanation in the latter case is thought to be to the
effect that the birds are caught while migrating southward
along the Atlantic coast, and carried by northwest gales in the
direction of the islands.

Even the sea-birds, although numerous in individuals, were

1 Agassiz says that the Tortugas are visited by a few land-birds, but does
not say what species have been found there,—‘ Three Cruises of the Blake,”

Viol L p.90:

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 11g

not represented by many species. The man-o’-war bird, the
booby gannet, the brown pelican, the noddy tern, the bridled
tern and least tern were about all that we saw. ‘The absence
of wading birds was a surprise, as there seemed to be excel-
lent feeding for them on the shallows around the islets where
small crustaceans were particularly abundant.

No reptiles were seen except turtles. The small and active
lizards so numerous at other places visited during our cruise
were not encountered here. Two loggerhead turtles were
“turned” one evening on Loggerhead Key. The helplesness
of these animals when placed on their backs is pathetic and
yet ludicrous. We were astonished at the force with which they
throw sand with their front flippers. It seemed, moreover, as
if they had acquired considerable accuracy of aim, throwing
the sand with stinging force in the faces of those incautious
mortals who ventured too near the vanquished yet belligerent
loggerheads.

Something over twenty species of fish were collected during
our stay at the Tortugas, a much larger number than we
secured at any other station. There being no ichthyologist in
our party, no special pains were taken to secure a complete
series of fish, although all that were caught were carefully pre-
served. No one, however, could fail to be attracted by the
many brilliantly colored fishes, floating as if suspended in air,
in the wonderfully clear waters around the fumigating dock.
Their vivid hues rival in many instances those of the gaudiest
birds, and it was hard for some of us to keep from spending
too much time lazily stretched out on the shady wharf, and
watching the procession of gorgeous creatures in the still, cool
waters below.

A number of species were caught with hook and line, but
more, perhaps, were taken in the dredge and meshes of the
tangles while we were dredging in the channel. Among the
species secured were the following:! A“ pipe-fish” S7phostoma

1The following partial identifications were made by the writer, who is
far from being an ichthyologist. It is hoped, however, that the list will

give a general idea of the facies of the collection, although the species are
in most cases not identified.

1 PXG) NatTuraAt History BULLETIN.

sp., about five inches long; “ goat-fish,” Upeneus maculatus
(C. & V.), a mullet-like species
ctenoid scales, and three squarish spots on the sides. <A

with two long barbels, large

small specimen of pompano was marked with vertical dark
bands. A very pretty species of Sexvanus or sea-bass was
abundant, and an excellent food-fish. It was colored a red-
dish yellow, and marked by about eight longitudinal narrow
stripes or lines of blue. The dorsal fin was emarginate, with
eleven spines; anal spines three. Another Serranus was
characterized by very distinct round spots on sides of head,
and was much smaller than the preceding,

Probably the most beautiful fishes secured were the “angel-
fish,” of which there were several species, all characterized
by greatly compressed bodies and scaled fleshy parts of the
median fins. ‘Two species probably belong to the genus Pom-
acanthus.| One of these, apparently P. ce/zatus J. and G., had
the dorsal with fourteen spines, anal with three, eight spines
on the preopercle above the very long spiné at its angle; anal
and dorsal produced into moderately long streamers. The
color in alcohol would indicate that the fish was originally
yellow. The surface had a peculiar velvety appearance,
owing to the ciliate scales. Another closely allied species had
longer streamers, one very large flattened preopercular spine,
general color black with three transverse curved bands of
white or yellow on the body and one on the tail. This may
be P. arcuatus Lac.

A small, probably immature specimen of sculpin was secured
with the tangles, and a curious little sea-robin, Pronotus
evolans Gill? having a strongly serrated spine on first dorsal
and six small spines on the head. Pectorals with upper ray
extended into a filament, and three lower rays detached and
banded with brown and light yellow. The pectorals reach to
the end of the dorsal. A small “swell-toad,” Zetrodon spen-
glert Bloch?, had two large teeth in each jaw and pectoral

fins resembling ears, giving a curious rodent-like aspect to

1The classification and names employed here are those used in Jordan &

G lbert’s “Synopsis of North American Fishes.”

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. [21

the head. ‘There were twelve round spots in a row separat-
ing the sides from the ventral portion of the body. A small
species of flounder, a minute mackerel,.an Axfennarius such
as we found in floating sea-weed in the Gulf Stream, and a
“midshipman” ( Porichthys) were dredged in the channel to
the north-west of Garden Key. <A_ beautiful little purple
striped species was found living a parasitic life among the
tentacles of the Portuguese man-o’-war. It was comical to
see the evident consternation of these little fellows when their
host was suddenly lifted out of the water. One specimen
was found dead among the tentacles. It would be interesting
to discover whether the fish are immune from the nemato-
cysts with which the tentacles are packed, or whether the
Physalia derives some benefit from their presence and refrains
from using its weapons. ‘That the fish itself finds excellent
protection admits of little doubt. Its colors, striped purple
and white, or at least light, assimilate admirably with those
of the tentacles among which it lives. Almost every Phy-
salia that we saw while at the Tortugas had its little company
of fish swimming along among the tentacles.

“The insects taken at the Tortugas were necessarily rather
few in number of species, since so barren a collecting ground
could hardly be very productive. So far as known, some of
the more interesting may be thus specified:

“Among the Hymenoptera, Oxybelus emarginatus Say is
the sole representative of the Aculeata. A number of ants
were found, however, in the sand or beaten from bushes,
among which Mr. Pergande has recognized Camponotus tor-
tuganus Em., Tetramorium caspitum Linn., Tetramorium
guineense Kabr. and Pherdole megacephala Fabr. <A _ little
Lyceenid was the only Lepidopterous insect at all conspicuous.
The Coleoptera were given the largest share of attention and
consequently furnish the longest list of species. Along the
beach, under sea-weed, were found Cafius bistriatus Er.,
Actinopteryx fucicola Allib., Phalerta longula Lec. and Pha-
leria pictpes Say. The carapaces of two immense turtles
which were laid out on the beach of Bird Key to cure,

122 NATURAL, History Burvenine

attracted, besides the two species of Phalerta above men-
tioned, a number of Saprenus ferrugineus Mars. Beating
the scanty brush brought to light a Scymnus yet undescribed
but common at various points in Southern Florida, a few
examples of Psy//lobora nana Muls. which we also took in
Cuba, a Corticar7a common throughout Florida, and a lot of
Artrpus floridanus Horn, a weevil extremely abundant at vari-
ous points on the mainland of this state, where it has devel-
oped lately into a nuisance by reason of its habit of attacking
various Cultivated plants for food. On Bird Key a few Cato-
rama punctulata Lec. and Petalium bistriatum Say would be
found in the beating net after going over the bushes, while
Loggerhead Key yielded a number of a little Pseudebaus,
perhaps ob/7tus Lec. The sea-oats on Rush Key gave shelter,
in their heavy tops, to an Owaczs, while the sand and rubbish
about the roots covered numerous Plapstinius opacus Lec.
This Llapstinus was also tolerably common under the fallen
head-boards which mark the site of the old cemetery on Bird
Key. ffymenorus convexus Casey showed a particular fond-
ness for resting on the castor bean. Hemiptera were numer-
ous in specimens, one green species being so abundant as to
seriously interfere with successful use of the beating net,
which would be choked and covered with them after a few
moments’ work, interfering with the labor of picking out
more valuable material. J/urgantia histrionica was twice
met with in colonies—once on Bird Key and once on Logger-
head. The others so far as known are named by Mr. Heide-
mann Gonianotus marginipunctatus Wolf, Pangeus bilineatus
Say and Clorocoris loxops Uhler. Spiders were abundant,
but as yet we have none identified.”!

Here, as elsewhere during our cruise, the Crustacea were
among the most conspicuous and abundant of animal types.
About thirty species of Brachyura were collected. One of the
most interesting was Leptopodia sagiltaria (Fabr.) a maioid
with exceedingly slender legs, armed with sparse, short thorns,
and having a rostrum produced into a slender point and ex-

IMr.H. F. Wickham.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. E22

ceeding the body in length. Like the ambulatory legs, this
rostrum is armed with a row of thorn-like spines on either
side. The chelineds are greatly elongated and equal in size.
Numbers of these spider-like crabs were caught on the piling
around an old wharf, which seemed to be their favorite resort.
Some dexterity was required in their capture, but a skillful
use of the crab-net resulted in an extensive series. J/acro-

celoma trispinosa (Latr.), although belonging to the maioid
group of crustacea, is as different from the last in general
appearance as it well could be, having an exceedingly heavy
body and short legs, each terminating in a strong hooked claw.
The space between the eyes is very great, and the eyes them-
selves small and bead-like.

Pericera cornuta celata (A.M.E.) has two divergent spines
on the rostrum, and the body covered with curved filaments
resembling booklets, doubtless of service in attaching foreign
substances to the carapace for purposes of concealment. One
species of Othonia was secured, with curiously excavated
chele, and five species of the genus J/7/hrax, the largest being
M. hispidus (Werbst.) of a rich reddish brown color, with very
strong curved spines on the lateral margin of the carapace.
Mithrax forceps Milne Edw. has very slender fingers to the
cheila, and a peculiar conical tooth on the inner face of the
movable finger, in which it resembles J/. coronatus (Herbst.).
The habit so prevalent among maioid crabs of covering them-
selves with foreign substances for concealment, is well illus-
trated by our specimens of J/rcrophrys bicornutus (Latreille),
which has the carapace covered with a dense growth of a
filamentous alga intermixed with sand and bits of broken shell.

One of the most striking crustaceans in the collection is
Platylambrus serratus (M.Edw.), a species widely distributed
in the West Indian region. The chelipeds are remarkably
developed, each one probably equaling the body in bulk.
They are greatly flattened and armed along both edges with
sharp spines. The hand especially is greatly elongated, tri-
angular in section, and enlarged at its distal end, upon which
are inserted the small black claws. When folded, the spines

124 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

on the basal part of the hand fit exactly into those on the
meros, While the spines of the internal superior edge of the
distal portion of the hands fit between similar spines on the
anterior margin of the thorax, thus completely disguising the
shape of the animal so that no one would think it a crab at all.
Among the Cancroidea, a minute species of Panopeus may
be noted. One of the commonest and most conspicuously
marked forms is Lepfodius floridanus (Gibbes), with its pol-
ished ivory-black chele terminating in white tips. PArymo-
dius maculatus Stimpson bears considerable superficial resem-
blance to the last, but the chelze are not so deep a black,
shading distally into brown and then white. <Actea setigera
Stimpson is another species having black chele. This char-
acter occurring among so many genera living in the same
locality seems to indicate some peculiar utility in this conspic-
uous marking. These animals live in shallow water, crawling
among the alge, corals, gorgonians, etc. A large number,
perhaps all of them, are protectively colored in the main, or
have the habit of covering themselves with sand, bits of shell,
or even with living alge and other organisms. The chelz
and eyes are almost the only portions of the body not protec-
tively colored or covered. Any conspicuous marks generally
classed under the head of “attractive coloration,” for the
purpose of attracting other individuals of the same species but
of opposite sex, must therefore be placed on the chelz in
order to serve their purpose. Such conspicuous markings do
not interfere with the effectiveness of general protective col-
oration, because the chela are stowed away under the cara-
pace so as to be completely concealed when not in use.
Liomera longimana A. M. E. has a comparatively smooth
carapace with short, black fingers, and a long hand which is
colored a rich brown, with distinct pits dotted over its surface..
Among the most abundant and interesting crabs is “Vepéenes
spinicar pus Stimpson, which has a very long, slender, spine
projecting forward from the distal end of the carpal joint, and
extending beyond the base of the fingers. ‘This spine is
furnished with a close-set row of hairs or cilia on the side

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 12

U1

which comes in contact with the propodite. By the normal
motion of the hand this fringe is made to sweep across the
inner surface of the propodite. There seems to be much more
than the usual freedom of motion between the carpus and the
hand. When the cheliped is folded or the fingers brought to
the mouth, the spine lies snugly between the hand and the
meros. ‘The whole contrivance is so evidently adaptive that
one naturally seeks an explanation of the intent of the struc-
ture, but I know of no purpose unless it be defensive, and that
explanation does not seem entirely satisfactory. When the
cheliped is extended, the long carpal spine projects at nearly
a right angle with the hand. Another conspicuous character
of this species is the long spine arising from the side of the
carapace. Perhaps the largest of the Cancroid group secured
at the Tortugas was a specimen of Achelons spintmanus Latr.,
which has a spread of about eleven inches. The manus is
conspicuously striped brown and buffy, and the fingers or
claws armed with prominent nodules throughout the length of
their opposed surfaces.

Among the Ocypodoidea are the familiar OcypPoda arenaria
(Catesby) and the brightly colored land-crab Geocarcinus.
lateralis (Frem.), which is almost always in evidence on the
larger islands of the Tortugas group, scuttling around among
the dried grass and leaves, and assuming belligerent attitudes
when approached, reminding one of very large “fiddler”
crabs. These are among the most conspicuously colored of
all the crabs secured during the cruise, the chelipeds and dor—
sal surface being really beautiful in their livery of yellow, and
brilliant crimson shading into pink and black. Their life is.
almost exclusively terrestrial, and they seem to have few
enemies, at least on these islands. That they are efficient
scavengers was proved by the facility with which they cleaned
the skeletons of two large turtles left on Bird Key for that
purpose. Several specimens of a tortoise crab, Calappa mar-
morata Wabr. were found near Garden Key, and caused con-
siderable amusement by their peculiar habit of spouting a little
fountain of water almost directly upward, the mouth-parts.

126 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

being so arranged that they form a tube just in front of the
rostrum pointing upward and a little forward. ‘The chele are
enormously enlarged, hard and expanded so as to form a com-
plete buckler when folded in front of the mouth-parts.

Very few Anomura were found, the most abundant being
a hermit crab, Cenobita diogenes (Latr.) which occupied a
great variety of gastropod shells, although it seemed to
particularly favor a large Astralium. A very large hermit,
Eupagurus granulatus, was also common, and a truly gor-
geous object it was, with its brilliant vermilion chelz beauti-
fully ornamented with symmetrically disposed nodules. The
size of these crabs can be imagined when we say that they
sometimes occupied the shells of S¢rombus gigas, one of the
largest mollusks of the West Indies. Petrolzsfes sex-spinosus
(Gibbes) is the only other anomuran found at the Tortugas.

The great disparity in numbers between the Brachyura,
or crabs, and the Macroura, or lobster-like forms, at this
station is indicated by the fact that not more than a half-dozen
species of the latter were secured during our stay, while thirty-
odd species of the former have been identified. “There were
four decapods, including one A/pheus. One of the most
interesting of ail the Crustacea is a Stomatopod, Gonodactylus
chiragra Latreille, much smaller than its familiar relative, and
with the chela formed by a slender but exceedingly hard and
ivory-like distal joint without spines, which fits into a groove
on the upper surface of the joint below, being turned in an
exactly opposite direction from that taken by the ordinary
dactylopodite.

Not the least attractive group included in the marine fauna
of the Tortugas is the Vermes, but unfortunately there was
no one in the party who was at all familiar with them. It
would be impossible, however, to see the many strange and
beautiful worms at this station without becoming interested
in their structure and admiring their exquisite coloring.!

Min: Be. Ditzen had charge of the Vermes during the cruise, and

has located many of them in their proper genera, although the task was an
unusually difficult one, owing to the paucity of the literature at hand.

coo

a Roy

M. F. LINDER, DEL.

Hermit Crab.

EUPAGURUS GRANULATUS, occupying shell of STROMBUS GIGAS.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 127,

Nearly all were Annelids and most of these TuBprcoLz.
Several species of Eunicrp: are objects of exquisite beauty,
owing to their brilliant iridescent colors, which flash and glow
like jewels when the animals are examined in the sun-light.
To those persons who regard worms as repulsive objects, such
a display is a useful revelation. Like most iridescent hues,
these are evidently due to structure and not to pigment. This
explains the fact that these species do not lose their brilliancy

gment is involved.

in alcohol, as is usually the case where pi
The specimens before me have been immersed in alcohol for
about sixteen months, and yet their beauty seems but little
impaired. The SERPULIDA: were especially abundant in the
moat around Fort Jefferson, where their tubes were attached
firmly to the masonry, and the flower-like tentacles were the
objects of delight to the collector, and served as a further
illustration of the rare beauty of marine worms. The tubes
were so firmly soldered to the masonry, however, that they
could not be removed without damage.

Among the Errantia, which do not construct tubes, were
some that proved really formidable on account of their severe
stinging powers. Several of our party were badly stung by
the poisonous bristles that appeared soft and silky, and yet
penetrated the cuticle and doubtless conveyed a very severe
irritant poison which caused a benumbed feeling in the hand
and arm, accompanied by intense burning pain. ‘The species
which inflicted this suffering on the incautious collector has
not been identified. It is among the larger of the worms
secured, and the bristles are in rows of tufts on the sides.
They were found among the heads of Pov?/es in the shallows.

There is no place, probably, on our Atlantic coast where
Mollusca are more abundant and more conspicuous than at the
Tortugas. Messrs. Gilman Drew and Arthur M. Rogers, who
had this group in hand, had to call others to their aid in taking
care of the quantities of “conchs” that were brought in with
the return of each boat. The old moat, especially, was a
conchologist’s paradise, and the walls were studded with
various species of gastropods, many of them having the foot

128 NatTurRAL History BULLETIN.

and aperture brilliantly colored. A species of Octopus, or
devil-fish, was quite common in the shallow water. It would
be difficult to imagine a more utterly repulsive animal than
this. Itis so slimy! There is something so stealthy and in-
eliding motion of the long and snake-

Cc

sinuating in the crawling,
like tentacles, that even the naturalist, who has for years
contemplated without special repugnance all sorts of animals,
can hardly repress a feeling of aversion while handling these
creatures. The power of adhesion possessed by the suckers
is very great, sufficient, in fact, to permit of the suckers them-
selves being torn from the arms before their hold is released.
A favorite resort of this species seemed to be the closely
branching heads of Portes so abundant in the shallows around
the islands.

A great majority of the moilusks were gastropods, of which
twenty-odd species were secured. Many were among the
largest known, e. g., Aasciolaria gigantea Wiener. When
alive, this species is rendered very striking by the brilliant
red color of its immense foot, which is very conspicuous when
the animal is fully expanded. Several other species collected
here were similarly marked. It is significant that, so far at
least as I have observed, these brilliant colors on the fleshy
parts of mollusks are possessed only by members of those
groups which have functional eyes, a fact which would indi-
cate.a definite connection between the possession of sight and
brilliant coloration and suggest, at least, an application of the
principle of sexual coloration. It will be remembered that
most strikingly colored mollusks are among the Prosobranch-
lata, which have separate sexes.

The followin g¢ genera of gastropods were represented in the

oD to)
collection from the Tortugas: J/urex, Fasciolaria, Colum-

bella, Strombus, Cyprea, Trivia, Cyphoma, Cerithium, Tec-
tartus, Peloronta, Livonia, Fissurella and Strophia. Probably
the most conspicuous and abundant of all was S¢romébus gigas,
Linn., the common “conch” of the West Indies. The exquisite
hues on the lip and aperture of these shells would cause them
to be eagerly sought after for cabinet specimens were they

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 129

less common. These animals are used for food by the
Bahamans, who make them intoa sort of chowder. They are
undeniably tough, however, and we did not regard them as
particularly palatable on the one occasion when an experi-
mental dish was prepared. Candor compels the confession,
however, that this may have been due to the fact that our cook
used condensed milk in the preparation of the chowder.

We were greatly astonished at the toleration exhibited by
some of these gastropods to immersion in alcohol. On one
occasion a number of small operculate specimens were left for
several days in moderately strong alcohol and then spread out
on the deck to dry. In a short time they were crawling
around apparently not one whit the worse for their long soak-
ing. It is probable that the operculum fits so tightly as to
exclude the alcohol, but it still remains a mystery how the
animals got air for respiration. Possibly they became narcot-
ized from the fumes of the alcohol, and were thus in a state
of suspended animation, as it were, during which the breath-
ing was practically reduced to nothing. That the alcohol does
not actually enter the shell is shown by the fact that when
small species of operculate gastropods are plunged into alcohol
and kept there, they are almost sure to decompose,—presum-
ably from the fact that the preservative does not come in
contact with the soft parts of the animal. Mr. H. F, Wick-
ham informs me that he has noticed that non-operculate forms
protect themselves when immersed in alcohol by throwing out
a large quantity of mucous, which seems to be impervious to
the fluid. A similar process may aid in protecting the opercu-
late forms.

The Lamellibranchiata were much less abundant here than
at Bahia Honda, although quite a respectable number were
collected, including Cfhzone cingenda Dillwyn, Avicula mar-
gariifera Linn., Arca velata Sowb., Cardium tsocardium Linn.,
Pecten ornatus Lam., Lucia tigertna Lamk, besides several
unidentified species.

The sub-kingdom Echinodermata was represented by a

splendid series of forms. Perhaps the greatest surprise was

130 NaATuRAL History BULLETIN.

when we found a magnificent crinoid with a spread of about
twelve inches growing in water less than three feet deep.
These specimens were of a rich golden brown color, which
has not faded in alcohol, and belonged to the genus Actzno-
metra. ‘The mouth is even more eccentric than usual in this
genus, and the pinnules are long and slender. The arms ap-
pear to be more brittle than in other crinoids, and the ultimate
ramifications are twenty-four in number. ‘This is probably
the handsomest species of free crinoid secured during the
cruise, and the unexpectedness of the discovery added to its
interest: +

Only two species of star-fish were found. One is an As-
terina, which is quite small, not exceeding an inch in diameter.
It is a very robust species, almost pentagonal. The dorsal
surface is covered with imbricating plates with a dermal pa-
pila peeping from the upper edge of each. One specimen is
four-rayed and almost perfectly square in outline. Star-fish
seem to be much more apt to have additional rays than to
have less than the typical number of five. By far the most
abundant species at this station was a species of Astropecten,
which came up in great numbers when we dredged across the
channel near the quarantine buoys. At no other spot did we
find star-fishes so abundant in individuals as here. Like
others of the ASTROPECTINID, this species is partial to. a clear,
sandy bottom. We greatly admired the arrangement of pax-
illa, whereby these animals were able to keep their dermal
tentacles constantly bathed in fresh sea-water without the
channels becoming clogged with sand. So far as my obser-
vation goes, it would seem that species with true paxille
always live in sand or mud, and are as a rule flat, not vaulted,
and thus especially apt to be covered with sand.

The serpent-stars were unusually abundant in this region,
the genus Opfhiura being represented by some half-dozen
species. The most abundant of these is the Ophiura cinerea

1 Professor Alexander Agassiz informs me that he has found large

Comatule in shallow water at the Tortugas. Whether it is the same spe-

cies as ours or not I do not know.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 131

Lyman. This serpent-star, like many others, is extremely
variable in coloration, the specimens from the Tortugas being
darker and less decidedly gray than those from the Bahamas.
In O. fevis Lyman, the radial shields are evident in the
adults, but are covered in the younger specimens, the full
grown animals closely resembling O. c7nerea. Another some-
what doubtful species is Ophizura appressa Say, which has the
radial shields and side mouth-shields covered, and nine arm-
spines. ‘This species is considerably smaller than c/nevea, and
some specimens are strikingly colored, the disk being pure
white marked with dark olive-green blotches. Another spec-
imen is considerably larger, the mouth-shields are oblong
oval, the side mouth-shields are uncovered, and the radial
shields covered. One of the prettiest species secured at this
station was Ophiura rubicunda Lyman, which has the disk
beautifully mottled with lake-red and grayish, the arms being
banded with the same colors. This seems to be the variety
mentioned by Lyman as ‘a so-called variety of this species
which may be said to have the under side of O. cenerea, and
the upper side of O. rudbicunda.”1 ‘This statement almost ex-
actly expresses the facts in regard to our specimen. The
familiar Ophiocoma echinata Agass. is very abundant here,
and is the largest Ophiurian secured at the Tortugas. It isa
form admirably adapted to demonstrate the mouth-parts of the
serpent-star before classes. Ophiocoma ritse¢ Liitken is char-
acterized by having slender arm-spines, oval mouth-shields,
and a single tentacle-scale. It seems to grade into O. echinata
in many particulars. Ofhzocoma sp. is of a very light yellow-
ish brown, banded with darker brown in about equal propor-
tions, and is characterized by having one tentacle-scale, four
arm-spines,—the third and fourth the longest,—disk finely
and evenly granulated, and mouth-shields almost round. I
am unable to place this specimen in any species described by
Lyman. Ofphionerets reticulata Liitken has the upper arm-
plates furnished with supplementary plates, and is of a yellow-
ish brown color reticulated with fine lines of reddish brown,

1T!lustrated Catalogue Mus. Comp. Zodl. No. 1, page 31.

132 NatTurRAL History BULLETIN.

the arms bearing distant annulations. Ophvothrin orstedii
Litken is the most beautiful as well as most abundant species
of Ophiuran at the Tortugas. The body color is green or
blue, the arms being crossed by pure white lines, disk beset
with long glassy spines, and the spines of the arms bearing
the characteristic spinelets of this genus. Ophzomyxa flaccida
Litken is also common. ‘The rays are shorter than in typical
specimens, and annulated with dark olive and light buffy in
several of our specimens from that locality.

A species of basket-fish was collected here; Astrophyton
costosum Seba is of a purplish brown color, with very prominent
radial ribs bearing rounded nodules or blunt spines. The
branching of the rays is not truly dichotomous except the first
few basal forkings. After this the main branches run straight
outward, giving off branchlets from time to time that are them-
selves truly dichotomous. Twenty forkings can be counted
in one specimen, and this would give, according to the method
of computation adopted in the famous communication from
Gov. John Winthrop to the Royal Society, about 21,000,000
terminal tendrils or branchlets. Of course a vast majority of
these are usually lacking in museum specimens, but there are
still enough to hopelessly entangle the mass. The arms are
closely and evenly granulated throughout, and do not have the
appearance of segmentation so strongly marked as does
Astrophyton agassizi of Lyman. Radial dark, almost black
blotches are symmetrically placed between the radial ribs, and
there is a large black blotch at the centre of the disk.

The sea-urchins were numerous individually, but the num-
ber of species was not remarkably great. Cvdarzs tribuloides
Bl. was found principally on the mud-flats just inside the reef.
The symmetrical disposition of the spines of this species and
the well marked tubercles make it an excellent one for class
use in a preliminary study of the Echini. By far the most
conspicuous echinoderm was Lzadema setosum, Gray which
was abundant on the sand-flats near Garden Key. The spines
of this species attain a length of seven inches, and are literally
as sharp asneedles. Although they appear to be as brittle as

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 132

glass, they are capable of piercing not only the human cuticle,
but even strong leather shoes, a fact several times demon-
strated by our collectors while working in the shallows. The
wound is quite severe, and as painful as a wasp’s sting. The
tip of the spine is usually broken off in the wound, and a dark
crimson or purple fluidis injected. The spines and test of the
animal seem covered with this fluid in life, giving a bloody
appearance. Whether this secretion is poisonous or not, the
wound is so painful as to suggest it. Several of our party
suffered severely from this cause, especially while trying to
get hold on the under side of coral heads, when the hand
would often come in contact with scores of these long, cruel
spines. Almost the only profanity that I heard during the
trip was wrung from some of our best young men by the
unbearable pain inflicted by the spines of LY. sefosum.

When the animal was undisturbed, resting on the bottom,
the long black spines were symmetrically arranged radiating
in all directions. Upon being touched, the points of the spines
would converge toward the disturbing object. It seemed to
several of us that the urchin had the power of imparting a true
thrust to the spines. ‘The writer experimented by placing his
finger as lightly as possible against the tip of a spine, and
received a sting like that of a hornet. At the base of each
spine is a considerable mass of muscle fibres, but a somewhat
hasty examination does not reveal any circular muscles which
might give a thrust to the spine by compressing the bundle of
longitudinal fibres.

E-chinometra subangular’s Desml]. was common on the mud-
ats, together with a very large species, probably //*pponoe
esculenta A. Ag., with short white spines and a much larger
test than is found in specimens of this species in the Bahamas.
Toxopneustes variegatus A. Ag. is also found here, but all of
the specimens were of the variety having thick reddish-brown
spines, and would have been considered a distinct species from
those collected at Bahia Honda were it not for the emphasis
laid by Agassiz on the extreme variability of this urchin.
E¢chinanthus rosaceus Gray was found in limited numbers, and

134 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

a portion of the test of a J7Zefalza was picked up near Bird
i<ey: .

The corals were of course the best represented group of
Ceelenterates. We were told that most of the branching
forms had been killed a few vears previous to our visit,
probably by unusually low tides. The following reef-build-
ing forms were collected:

Siderastrea galaxea Ell. and Soland., JAZanicrna areolata
Linn., /sophyllia dipsacea Dana, Diploria cerebriformis Lamk.,
Meandrina clivosa Verrill, Meandrtna sinuosa Lesr., Porites
astr@oides Lamk., Porites furcata Lamk., Porites clavaria
Lamk., Agaricia agaricites Pall., Orbtcela annularis Dana.,
Oculina varicosa Lesueur. Of these, the two species of
branching Pores were by far the most abundant, growing
inside the reefs and fairly covering considerable areas of the
bottom. Only one specimen of AZadrepora cervicornis Lamk.
was found, although we were told that they were formerly
very abundant.

Millepora alcicornis Lamk. was the only hydroid, if it be
a hydroid, found at this station, a fact that surprised us
greatly. Of course we did no dredging in deep water, and
thus were unable to investigate the fauna outside of the reefs.

Only two species of Medusz were found,—L7nerges mer-
curius Heeck. and Polyclonia frondosa Agassiz, the latter
being very abundant in the old moat, where it rests on the
sandy bottom with its tentacles turned upward. In spots
they are closely packed together, and the waving, leaf-like
tentacles give them a semblance to a thick growth of alge.
Physalia arethusa Agassiz is the only Siphonophore found by
us at this station. It was abundant, and as before indicated,
is almost always accompanied by a little group of parasitic
fishes.

On Tuesday, June 13th, the boats were sent for the turtle
skeletons which the land-crabs had cleaned for us on Bird
Key, and the corals which had been put to bleach on Bush
Key. A strong wind was blowing, but abated somewhat in the
afternoon, and the “Emily E. Johnson” left the fumigating

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. me

on

dock with her passengers unanimously of the opinion that Dr.
Murray and his associates had put the expedition under great
obligation by their attention not only to the comfort and
health, but also to the pleasure of the entire party. For once,
at least, in the history of the Dry Tortugas, people left the
domain of the yellow flag with genuine regret.

The vessel remained at anchor that night within the harbor,
or rather channel, off Garden Key. A heavy gale blew from
the S. S. W. all night, raising a sea that sent the waves dash-
ing high over the sea-wall against the old fort. Not wishing
to leave our safe anchorage in such a gale, we busied our-
selves in doing odd jobs about the vessel and in reading.
The next day a high sea was still running outside, and we
concluded to try a few hauls of the trawl and tangles across
the channel. The bottom must have been actually paved
with a species of Astrofecten, as the tangles were fairly
crowded full of them. The trawl could be used to advantage
on this smooth sandy, bottom, and we thus secured quite a
number of small fish that would otherwise have been missed.

On the morning of Friday, June 16th, we finally bade good-
bye to the Dry Tortugas, but were glad to see Dr. Murray
on board to accompany us to Key West. This gentleman has
probably had more experience with yellow fever than any

greatly interested in

other American physician, and we were
the tales of the pestilence which he could so graphically
relate. His opinion was that the disease is not nearly so ter-
rible as generally supposed, and that with proper treatment
there is no necessity for a mortality greater than two per cent.
The doctor was evidently skeptical concernin

@ the existence

of the yellow fever bacillus.

CHAPTER VI.

KEY WEST AND THE POURTALES PLATEAU.

On Saturday, June 17th, we again put into Key West,
tying up to the government wharf, where a berth was secured
for the “Emily E. Johnson” through the kind offices of Dr.
Murray.

It was really a relief to be again allowed to mingle with our
fellow men, and not bear the stigma which Uncle Sam had so
promptly put upon us when we entered the port before.
Being tabooed by one’s kind is doubtless sometimes for the
general good, but it makes the victim feel as if there were
some moral obliquity involved, and tends to decidedly diminish
one’s self-esteem. Being pronounced once more fit for contact
with American citizens, we welcomed the advent of the num-
erous parties who were willing to supply us with fruits, pro-
visions, curios, clean linen, etc., with a cordiality which must
have seemed unduly emphatic, and patronized ice-cream
saloons and soda-water fountains with a zest unknown since
childhood.

Key West is a Spanish city, with a strong Bahaman flavor,
placed on American soil. Its main industries are sponge-
curing, cigar-making, and the hatching of Cuban rebellions.
If the Spanish authorities could swoop down on that city some
night and exterminate its inhabitants of Spanish blood, it
would be safe to insure Cuba against revolutions for a gen-
eration to come. This city, of twenty-odd thousand inhab-
itants, is an anomaly. The only thing about it that is Amer-
ican is the coral rock upon which it stands, and a few of the
government officials. One can enter store after store with-
out being able to transact his business in English, and when

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. re

‘

he does find a man who speaks English it isn’t American
English, but Bahaman English, a curious fafo7s composed of
negro dialect and the language of the London cockney, in
which the h’s are misplaced with consummate adroitness.

The city itself lacks the picturesqueness of the Spanish
city, the cleanliness of the Bahaman village, and the push and
vim of an American town. The only really handsome build-
ing is the custom-house and post-office combined, a substan-
tial structure of stone and brick, overlooking the harbor and
embellishing an otherwise unattractive water front. Some
distance further to the south is the U. S. marine hospital,
where we found a formidable accumulation of mail for our
party. Still farther down and separated from the island by a
causeway, Fort Taylor adds a bit of romance to the scene.
The beach is lined with cocoanut palms, trees which seem
graceful and picturesque at first, but grow commonplace and
monotonous on long acquaintance. The shops of the town
are mostly wooden structures, sadly in need of paint, and a
majority of the signs are in Spanish. One of the most pre-
tentious buildings is the Masonic building, which is three
stories high, and contains a public library and free reading-
room. <A horse-car line runs along the principal business
streets, but the horses pulling the cars usually walk. The
streets themselves have the virtue of being wide. ‘The res-
idence part of the city is much more attractive than the
business portion, and contains quite a number of sensible and
homelike houses, with commodious verandas and abundant
shade.

A new industry has been inaugurated at Key West in the
shape of a canning factory for pine-apples. This enterprise
was started two or three years ago by Martin Wagner &
Company, of Baltimore, who ship the pine-apples from the
Bahamas to Key West and can them there, instead of trans-
porting the fruit to their factories at Baltimore, as in times
past. The misfortunes to which sailing craft are subjected
were well illustrated by a schooner that arrived during our
stay at Key West, consigned to Martin Wagner & Company.

oS

138 NatTurRAL History BULLETIN.

This schooner had left Eleuthera three weeks before, had
been becalmed in the Florida Straits, and carried by the Gulf
Stream clear through the straits and around north of Abaco,
which is further from its destination than was the starting
place. Of course the load of pine-apples had rotted down and
was completely ruined.

At this place two members of the expedition were com-
pelled to leave us, owing to constant seasickness, and pro-
cceded by steamer to Tampa, and thence home to lowa by
rail.

We remained at the wharf over Sunday, but noticed an
intolerable stench arising from the hold. Our search for the
source of this foul odor was at first unavailing, but we finally
discovered that it arose from some of the potato barrels.
These were taken on deck and opened, disclosing a serious
state of affairs. The potatoes had suddenly commenced to
rot, and several of the barrels had their contents reduced to a
disgusting, putrid mass, which we hastily pitched overboard.
Then all the other barrels were brought up and opened, and
the potatoes picked over, the small remnant of sound tubers
being spread out on the deck to dry, after which they were
again stowed below. This was a serious loss, as potatoes
were too expensive at Key West to permit of our stocking up
there, although we did get a few bushels of sweet potatoes.
We also discovered at this time that our corned beef was
beginning to spoil, but succeeded in trading off some of our
superfluous coffee and flour for hams, bacon, eggs, and veget-
ables, on a basis that showed that the good people of Key
West knew how to drive a hard bargain when they had their
customers in a tight place. Our experience would go to
prove that about the only kind of provisions that are sure to
keep well without ice, on a long cruise in the tropics are the
various kinds of canned goods. Ido not remember that any-
thing put up in this way spoiled, even the butter remaining
sweet and good to the very last.

That evening we left the dock, and dropped down to near

5

the entrance to the harbor, in order to get a good start for the

Ee

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 139

dredging ground in the morning. One of the most important
undertakings which our expedition had in view was a some-
what thorough exploration of the famous “ Pourtalés Plateau,”
perhaps the richest field in the Western Hemisphere for the
marine zoologist. Outside of the line of reefs known as the
Florida Reefs there extends southward a gentle submarine
slope reaching out toward the trough of the Gulf Stream.
“This rocky plateau with a very moderate slope begins a
little to the westward of Sand Key, and stretches to the
northward and eastward until it reaches its maximum breadth,
of about eighteen miles to the eastward of Sombrero. It then
diminishes in breadth, and finally ends between Cary’s Foot
Reef and Cape ‘Florida. . . . The plateau begins at a
depth of about ninety fathoms, and ends at about three hund-
red.”« The bottom is limestone composed of the debris from
the adjacent reefs, cemented into a sort of conglomerate. We
have here the most favorable condition for a profusion of ani-
mal life:—a gentle slope leading off from a continental mass,
for the real outline of the Florida Reefs include the whole line
of keys and reefs, bathed by a constant and powerful current.

Acting on the advice of Professor Alexander Agassiz, we
did all of our dredging on this plateau between Sand Key and
Sombrero Key. ‘aking our bearings from Sand Key Light,
American Shoal Light, and Sombrero Light; and frequently
getting cross-bearings from two of these, we were able to

a

know nearly our exact position during the whole time. With
some interruptions due to calms and a run into Key West for
a spar, we worked eleven days on the Pourtales Plateau, mak-
ing forty-four hauls of the dredge or tangles. When the
weather permitted our dredging all day, we made six or
seven hauls daily. A comparison with our record while
dredging off Havana will show that practice considerably
facilitated our work. We also found that the labor was much
less trying when we became used to it, although the heat was
considerably greater than we found it during our dredging off
the Cuban coast. Of course the comparative absence of sea-

1Three Cruises of the Blake, vol. I, p. 286.

140 NATURAL History Burienin.

sickness had a great deal to do with making our Pourtales
Plateau work seem pleasanter, and the health of the party
had been improved by our stay at the Tortugas. Practice
also increased the efficiency of each one in that particular
work which fell to his or her share, so that the material was
more quickly cared for and more intelligently disposed of. A
certain familiaritv with the different groups of animals began
to make itself evident on the part of the students, showing
that the educational value of the expedition was assuming the
proportions hoped for by its projectors. Not only was each
person able to recognize at a glance the animals falling within
his particular province, but every one was able, in a general
way, to sort out the material into the proper classes as it was
dumped from the dredge or picked from the tangles. The
educational value of the mere handling and assorting of a mis-
cellaneous heap of material is perhaps greater than can be
realized in the same time in any other way, and when the
work is done where there is ready resort to the general liter-
ature of the subject, and also to the microscope and labora-
tory tools, it will be seen that our young people were enjoy-
ing unsurpassed educational facilities along biological lines,
although there was comparatively little of the time when they
were consciously studying.

We soon found that there was little use in dredging inside
of about the sixty-fathom line, the slope from the reefs to that
depth being singularly rocky and barren of animal life,
although fairly good spots were occasionally encountered at
less depths. The first hauls we made after crossing the one-
hundred-fathom line directly south of Sand Key Light were a
revelation, at once demonstrating the exceeding richness of the
fauna and the vast difference between it and the reef fauna, and
the difference between both of these and the fauna of the
opposite slope of the Gulf Stream off the Cuban coast. No
more instructive lesson on the geographical and bathymetric
distribution of marine life could well be found. But few
species, so far as yet determined, were found common to
either two of these three faunz, and the general facies of each

i

NARRATIVE OF BaHaMa EXPEDITION. 141

was remarkably distinct from that of either of the others.
The trough of the Gulf Stream seems to be a most effective
barrier, fully as potent as a range of mountains on the land,
while a difference of a few score fathoms in depth zodlogically
divides the Pourtalés Plateau from the reef region as effect-
ively as thousands of miles difference in latitude does the
terrestrial forms.

Taking it all in all, this was the most profitable part of our
cruise, both from a scientific and an educational standpoint,
although it was characterized by almost continuous work and
considerable discomfort from the heat, as well as a certain de-
gree of danger. The latter element came in, as usual, in a
manner and at a time entirely unexpected.

On Monday, June 19th, just when we were rejoicing over
the first splendid haul from below the one-hundred-fathom
line, and most of the party were eagerly picking the harvest
from the tangles, a serious accident happened. The large
oyster-dredge had been lowered and was dragging nicely on
the bottom, when it suddenly caught firmly on some object,
and with scarcely a moment’s warning the tremendous pres-
sure on the iron rope, caused probably more by the current of
the Gulf Stream than the passage of the vessel through the
water, created havoc unparalleled during the entire cruise,
The mate and Mr. Larrabee, who were watching the dredge
rope, were seated on the windward bulwarks just forward ot
a break in the rail. A number of others were on the oppo-
site side of the vessel picking over the tangles after the pre-
ceding haul. The first thing to give way was the two-and
three-fourths-inch Italian hemp rope which guyed the dredg-
ing spar in position while dredging, thus bringing a longitudinal
strain on the dredging spar which swung aft; next the rope
securing the throat of the spar to the foremast parted like so
much yarn; then the rope which secured the heavy iron pul-
ley-block to the deck just aft of the galley broke at both ends.
The spar fell to the deck with a crash, breaking in two as it
struck, and the pulley fell, barely missing the head of a young
woman working over the tangles. The iron rope then came

142 NaTurAL History BULLETIN.

to the deck, swept along the bulwark, and almost caught the
two men, in which case they would have been cut in half
against the break in the rail. The rope began sawing through
the rail, and the dredging machine seemed about to be torn
from its bolts and taken bodily overboard, which would have
ended our dredging once for all. All of these disasters
occurred within eight or ten seconds,—so suddenly that we
were fairly dazed, giving us the impression that everything
aloft was falling about our ears, and that the fearful strength
of our iron rope was going to wreck the vessel.

By this time the schooner was firmly anchored by the
dredge, and the danger would have been over were it not for
the strong current of the Gulf Stream and the terrible strain
caused by the rolling of the schooner. Captain Flowers was
equal to the emergency, however, and with the help of some
of his men and our boys, managed to get the rope under
control again, after which we succeeded in breaking the
dredge from the bottom, and finally reeled in all the rope
without the loss of a single foot of it, nor so much as a serious
kink, which is nearly as bad as a break. When the dredge
came up it contained what appeared to be fragments of badly
corroded iron plates, evidence that it had caught on a sunken
wreck. The dredge was fouled many times during the
cruise, but on no other occasion did it catch so firmly and sud-
denly as then. The coral rock and conglomerate on the
Pourtalés Plateau would have yielded more promply to the
strain.

It is the unexpected that happens, and no better illustration
could be found than in our experience. Who wouid have
thought that the only really serious dangers encountered dar-
ing our cruise would have been a mad dog on deck and an
old forgotten wreck a hundred fathoms below the surface on
the Pourtales Plateaur

That evening we ran into Key West for a new dredging
spar. The broken spar had cost two dollars in Baltimore,
but at Key West they wanted fifteen dollars for a fifteen-foot
pole without irons. Captain Flowers pronounced this pure

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 143

robbery, and said that we would mend our broken spar, which
although it was somewhat heavier and not nearly so comely.
he did, making it fully as useful and even stronger than before,

It was during this time that we experienced great discom-
fort from heat. For several successive days there would be a
little breeze early in the morning, which died out when the
sun got well above the horizon, after which a dead calm
would set in and last for the rest of the day. Although the
middle of the day was,actually the hottest, we found the time
from seven to eight in the morning as uncomfortable as any,
from the fact that the sun would get into our faces under the
largest hats or bonnets, and the reflections from the water
would add very materially to the glare which hurt the eyes
and burned the face. At this time no shade was afforded by
the sails, the nearly horizontal rays passing under the booms
and even under the awning, when the latter was up. But
when the sun reached the zenith, the tar would actually boil
from the deck, and the awnings would only slightly modify
the heat, which struck through them so forcibly that little
relief could be secured. Below it was simply stifling, and the
merciless glare of the deck, unrelieved by a particle of breeze,
seemed to sap all ambition and vitality from even the strong-
est members of the party. The thermometer registered 135°
on the deck, and well into the nineties under the awning.
The lot of our cook was, at this time. certainly far from envi-
able. He had to spend the greater part of the day in the
seven-by-seven galley, with a large range and a roaring coal
fire, which made the deck seem cool in comparison. Here
poor Smith had to cook three meals a day for twenty-eight
people, whose appetites were, to say the least, not delicate.
One afternoon when the fire was going down after dinner the
thermometer registered 143° in the galley. Under these cir-
cumstances, there is little wonder that our cook lost flesh with
startling rapidity, and that, whereas he came on board a
rather sleek and portly darkey, he left us at Baltimore, an
emaciated and aged man. His general health seemed little
affected, however, and, let it be said to his credit, his patience

144 NATURAL Eiistory BurtErin:

and good nature proved inexhaustible. I doubt if any white
person could have endured staying in that galley for half an
hour during the hottest times.

On several such days, seeing that the breeze was about to
fail us, we used what remained in getting to an anchorage
inside the reefs. When this was done, collecting parties
could be sent out in the boats after corals and shallow-water
forms, and any serious loss of time prevented. At such times.
we found great relief from the heat by going overboard and
swimming in the crystal clear water on the shady side of the
schooner. These swimming parties were greatly enjoyed by
all who participated in them, and a number both of young
men and women learned the delightful and invigorating art of
swimming. An extra spar was hung over the side, in addi-
tion to the boarding steps and several lines, and we had a
natatorium which could not be surpassed either in cleanliness
or convenience. When a novice desired a lesson, a rope was
attached to his or her belt, and the aspirant for natatory
accomplishment was persuaded to jump overboard in prefer-
ence to being thrown overboard. The end of the rope was
held by some one on board. After a few such lessons, almost
every one who tried was able to float or swim without assist-
ance, although the line attachment was never omitted, in the
case of the young women at least, several of whom became
quite able to float or swim, much to their delight and profit.
ght to see the bulwarks lined

It was a novel and interesting sig

with a row of these young men and women, who, at a given
signal, jumped or dove into the cool, clear depths together.
This healthful exercise served to break up the oppressive mo-
notony of the calm weather, and doubtless had a good deal to
do with the continued good health of all on board. When the
calm caught us at sea, we tried our hands at fishing. The
sharks appeared to be quite numerous, and could be seen
from the deck, gliding around the vessel some distance below
the surface. On one occasion a very large “‘hammer-head”’
was seen from the cross-trees. It was, apparently, the largest
fish observed during the cruise, but it is difficult to estimate

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA, EXPEDITION. 145

the size of objects in the water, which may account for the
large proportions of fish stories. ‘The commonest shark in
these waters was the blue shark, Carcharhinus glaucus. ('T.)
Jor. and Gilb. This is one of the so-called man-eating sharks.
It was hard to repress a feeling of repugnance while watch-
ing these huge brutes cruise around and around the “Emily
E. Johnson,” as if they were treading a regular beat for busi-
ness purposes. At such times the boys lost their desire to
jump overboard, and conceived a still more intense longing to
catch sharks. Captain Flowers eagerly aided and abetted
them in this purpose, and their efforts resulted in the capture
of a number of the man-eaters. The largest of these seemed
enormous as we hauled him abcard, and almost any of us
would have said that he was fifteen or twenty feet long. He
measured, however, just twelve feet, a good-sized shark after
all, although specimens are rarely mentioned in the literature
of adventure which are less than twenty-five feet long. The
vitality of this great fish was wonderful. It was shot several
times through the head before being hauled aboard, but gave
an occasional flap of its tail for a long time afterward. The
heart kept up its pulsations long enough for us to make a dis-
section, affording an instructive demonstration of the gross
anatomy of the circulatory system. ‘The lance-like sharpness
of the teeth was learned from the most practical teacher,
experience, by several of those who were engaged in the dis-
section. This specimen seemed to have the power of evert-
ing the stomach out of the mouth, a considerable portion of
that organ being in the mouth when the animal came aboard.
Some of our party conceived the idea that the flesh of a
young shark would be good eating, and tested their theory by
a gastronomical demonstration. They reported the flesh quite
palatable, as, indeed, it doubtless was.

Probably the best sport in the fishing line was dolphin
fishing. These were the fs and not the mammal known by
the same name. A school of these beautiful creatures was
seen swimming around the vessel during a calm, and all hands
got out hooks and lines for a try at this novel sport. Shark

146 NATURAL History BULLETIN.
LU

meat was used as bait, and for a long time it seemed as if
the attempt were doomed to failure. The dolphins appeared
to be tempted, but would sheer off again in the most exasper-
ating manner. Finally one adventurous fish swallowed the
hook, and soon lay on deck, a mass of changing hues. An-
other and another followed suit, and soon the dolphins were
biting ravenously, and being hauled aboard in the most gratify-
ing numbers, until nearly all had paid the penalty of their
rashness. Thev proved excellent eating, and we much enjoyed
the store of good fresh fish thus so opportunely secured.

The far-famed colors of the dolphin are not exaggerated.
Indeed they could not be, so vivid and exquisite are they.
One specimen was a monster of its kind, being four feet long
and having the frontal prominence greatly developed,—so
much so that the eye appeared to be in about the middle of
the head. A broad band running from the forehead nearly
to the tail was a real glittering gold, just as true a gilt as could
be made by laying on gold leaf. ‘This is the largest surface
covered with this rare metallic color that I have seen in na-
ture. The dorsal fin was a rich blue, the under surface was
white dotted with small, regularly distributed “polka dots” of
blue. Yellow, red and green also entered into the coloration
of this gorgeous creature. The changing of hues while dying
consisted in flushes of color passing rather slowly from one to
another. It did not seem, however, to be so brilliant at any
time while dying as it was immediately upon coming out of
the water. In a few minutes all the richness of color was
gone forever, and nothing remained but a very ordinary fish.
A good cast of this creature made after the modern method
and colored correctly, would be a most attractive object for a
museum, although most of the visitors would doubtless con-
sider it highly unnatural and impossible, a criticism often made
by the ignorant in the presence of faithful reproductions of
natural objects.

Of course the absence of ice on board the schooner was
something of a hardship to those who had never before been
called upon to do without it during hot weather. It would

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 147

have been impossible, however, to have carrried along a
sufficient store to keep through the cruise, and the hardship
would have been all the more severe had we taken a supply
from Baltimore, which would inevitably have failed us after
we got into a hot climate, making it necessary to go suddenly
from ice-water to the comparatively warm water of the water
casks. As it was, the water grew warm so gradually that
there was no sudden transition. We found great relief,
moreover, in the Cuban water-jars, or ‘“ollas,” as they are
called. These are almost globular jars made of a very porous
white clay, with a handle on one side, a short spout on the
other, a ring on top, and an aperture for pouring in the
water. Such a jar is filled and then hung out in the air and
sun. The evaporation going on from the damp outer surface
cools the water very perceptibly, making it quite palatable and
really better for drinking purposes than ice-water. Several
of these ollas were always kept hanging from the stern davits.
They were filled every morning from the water casks. After
we learned to utilize these very sensible contrivances, which
were bought at Havana, there was little complaint so far as
the drinking water was concerned. From a sanitary stand-
point there is little doubt that the use of the ollas is far better
than dependence upon ice.

Most of the fishes secured in this region were not taken
from the Pourtalés Plateau proper, but in the shallower water
between the reefs and the one-hundred-fathom line, by far
the greater proportion coming up on the trawl or tangles
from a depth of about fifty fathoms. The assemblage of
forms as a whole was characterized by the grotesqueness of
shape so often found in aberrant groups. Of course there
were few typical deep-sea forms, the deepest haul producing
fish being one hundred and twenty fathoms. It is impossible
to tell whether even these came from the bottom or were
caught at intermediate depths by the ascending trawl or
tangles. One species, however, a flounder, can be reasonably
assigned to that depth.

Among the more interesting forms secured may be men-

148 NatTurRAL History BULLETIN.

tioned a species of sea-horse, //7ppocampus, one taken from a
depth of sixty fathoms and others from shallow water in the
Key West channel. The rapid vibration, resembling ciliary
action, of the fins is unlike that observed in any other fish
that we studied. The resemblace of these curious little
animals to the knights of the chess-board is rendered very
evident when the fish are erect, in their normal attitude.
Another striking form was probably a ‘flute-mouth,” - tz/os-
‘oma sp.? which was taken from the stomach of a dolphin and
is about four inches long, with sides covered with brilliant
silvery scales. The jaws, as the name implies, are very long
and tubular, with a small terminal mouth. The dorsal portion
of the animal is covered with scales edged with blackish, and
there are several dark blotches on the sides. Two small
species of sculpins were secured, both apparently belonging
to the genus’ Scorfena. One was dredged at about one
hundred and five fathoms. ‘The scales are ctenoid, without
flaps; dorsal spines twelve; preopercular spines five; there
are five spines on the ridge over the eye. We noticed that
this, as well as other specimens from comparatively deep
water came up with the mouth open to its widest capacity, as
if the fish were suffering from strangulation. The other
sculpin was taken from a depth of sixty fathoms, was four and
one-half inches long, and had some of the ctenoid scales
armed with conspicuous fleshy flaps. The fins were barred
with brown, and the lower part of the sides marked with
small, sharply circumscribed black or brown spots. A fish
belonging to the “eel-pout” group (Zoarcip#) was taken
from a depth of one hundred and twenty fathoms, and was
eight inches long, the anal and dorsal continuous, and the
ventrals jugular, reduced to two long, rather fleshy filaments.
A row of eight light or white spots ornamented the sides, and
there was a broad somewhat truncated muzzle projecting
over the mouth. The eyes were very large. From the same
depth a codling, Phycis regius (Walb.) was secured, a long,
-slender fish with barbels on the chin, and ventrals reduced to
two long filaments. The first dorsal is very small, lobate with

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 149

black edgings. Both dorsal and anal are long and low. Two
vertical series of dark brown or black spots are on the sides
of the head. This is the largest species dredged on the Pla-
teau, being nine inches long. “Said to exhibit electric powers
in life.” (Jordan & Gilbert.) Another specimen from this
haul is a much mutilated flounder, which is not in a condition
for even approximate identification, as is indeed unfortunately
the fact in regard to several specimens from this station.

An interesting species of Axtennarzus was secured from
about fifty fathoms, and differed considerably from the others
seen by us. The first dorsal spine was modified into a * fish-
ing-rod,” which is exceedingly slender, bearing a small trifid
“bait” on the end. The body is covered with sharp trifid
spines, which bear considerable resemblance, superficial of
course, to the calcareous spicules of some of the flexible cor-
als and sponges. These spines impart a velvety appearance
to the surface when dried, but it feels much like sand-paper.
The lateral line is armed with clumps of spines, the series ex-
tending over the eye, where it is greatly accentuated. The
second and third dorsal spines are much thickened, fleshy, and
covered with the minute spines. There is a large oval black
spot surrounded by a narrow white edging just below the
middle of the long dorsal. The abdomenis greatly dilatable,
it being possible to blow up the alcoholic specimen. The pec-
toral fins are placed far back, giving a ludicrous resemblance
to hind legs, while the ventrals are much more widely separ-
ated than in the Antfennarzus which inhabits the Gulf weed.

Another strange form belonging to the order Pediculati and
dredged from a depth of one hundred and twenty fathoms, is
such a curious combination of characters that it cannot be
placed in any family defined in the only systematic work on
fishes at present accessible to the writer.! The gill-openings
are far above and considerably behind the upper axils of the
pectorals, being situated further back than in any other fish
that I have seen. They are longer and more conspicuous
than in the species just described. The animal has the gen-

' Synopsis of the Fishes of North America, Jordan & Gilbert.

150 NATURAL: History - BULLETIN.

eral contour of the fishing-frogs, Lopuupa:, but the position of
the gill-openings would exclude it from that family as defined
by Jordan & Gilbert. The head is enormous in proportion to:
the rest of the body, and notably depressed. The mouth is.
wide, opening vertically. The first dorsal is represented by a
peculiarly modified spine, which is short and fleshy, hinged
like the “fishing-rod” before described, and fits nicely, .when
not erected, into a distinct oval pit between the eyes The
whole surface of the body is covered with prickly spines.
There is a curious system of lines of pores, more extensive
than in any other fish that I have examined, reminding one
somewhat of Porrcthys. One line borders the upper lip and
curves rather abruptly backward at the corners of the mouth.
until it joins a transverse line to be described presently. A
pair of lines start from the middle of the upper lip, embrace
the pit containing the first dorsal, diverge back of the eyes,
until they attain the level of the eyes and then pass directly
backward, curving down over the gill-openings until they
reach the lower margin of the tail, along which they run as
far as the base of the tail-fin. A third series of pores starts
from the middle of the lower jaw, forming a horse-shoe with
the ends away from the jaw, and connected by a short line of
pores. At each end of the horse-shoe a line extends outward
and backward to nearly the centre of the body, or just a little
in front, but much above, the ventral fins. At this point a
transverse line passes over the back across the dorsal lines,
and meets its fellow in the centre of the back. The ventral
line extends almost directly backward from the origin of the
tranverse line, and ends on the proximal joint of the pectoral
fin. The body of this strange fish is capable of great infla-
tion, being almost all mouth and stomach. The soft dorsal
begins above the pectorals and almost reaches the caudal.
The analis much shorter; the ventrals are very small. There
are no fleshy tags on the surface of the body except on the
first dorsal spine. The specimen is three and three-fourths
inches long and one and five-eighths inches broad, and one
and three-eighths inches in height when moderately distended.

M. F. LINDER, DEL.

Fig.1. A strange pediculate Fish. Pourtalés Plateau.

Vig. 2. ANTENNARIUS sp. Pourtalés Plateau.
Fig.3. NEPTUNUS SPINICARPUS. Stm. Dry Tortugas.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 151

The distance between the eyes is one-half inch, and the width
of the mouth three-fourths inch.

Of course it is altogether probable that the ichthyologist
will recognize in this a well-known form, but to the laity it is
one of the strangest of the strange fish collected by our expe-
dition.

Among the most grotesque forms were two species of
‘“‘bat-fish” secured from a depth of sixty fathoms. One of
these (J/althe sp.) was less than two inches long, with a
strong, conical rostral process, which was one-third as long as
the distance from the mouth to the base of* the caudal fin.
This process imparts a most ludicrous expression to the pro-
file of the fish, giving a comical resemblance to a human face
with large eyes and an enormous nose. The head is much
deeper than the body, and its top is ornamented by two series
of conical spines which unite at the centre of the back. Sim-
ilar spines are conspicuous on the margins of the body and on
the tail. The pectoral fins greatly resemble the legs of a frog,
and the ventrals are small and rather widely separated. The
other species belongs apparently to the genus //alreutichthys.
It resembles a ray in general outline, being exceedingly flat
with greatly expanded sides, the width of the body nearly
equaling the distance from the mouth to the base of the tail.
Total length three inches; mouth small; rostrum not produced.
The body is marked with a reticulate pattern of brownish
lines, and covered with blunt spines.

But the most remarkable species of all was a worm-like
creature which came up with the bat-fish just described. At
first sight we could hardly believe that it was a fish at all.
The animal was twelve inches long and only three-sixteenths
of an inch in diameter. It was scaleless, being as smooth to
the touch as an earth-worm. The head was not differentiated
from the body, and was produced into a short, pointed snout.
The eyes were large, the mouth inferior, and opening some
distance behind the end of the snout. The upper jaw was
armed with four large, sharp, slightly recurved teeth, pass-
ing in front of the lower jaw when the mouth is closed.

152 NatTurAL History BULLETIN.

The gills open laterally. Color in alcohol, uniform light
brown, with no markings of any description.

«At Key West, as with most of the other land stations, the
entomological work was confined chiefly to Coleoptera, and
only passing notice given the other orders. Attention was at
first naturally attracted to the beach, which here proved much
less productive than usual, the only species of note thus found
being two species of Cvcrndela (marginata, Fabr. and tortu-
osa Dej.), and a few examples of 77zchopteryx (sp. incog.),
Dryotribus and Macrancylus, Phaleria being almost entirely
wanting. Later on, when opportunity offered to go into the
thickets which cover that portion of the key lying behind the
city, the insect life was found to be much more abundant and
varied than at first supposed. The two species of Czcrndela
already mentioned were not uncommon in the roads and paths
which run through the brush in all directions, and under loose
pieces of bark lying near pools were taken a few specimens
of Bembidium contractum Say and of a Zachys near the Cali-
fornian 7. vittiger Lec. Beating yielded Chilocorus cact7 Linn.,
Psyllobora nana Muls. (a smaller form than that taken in the
Tortugas), and an undescribed Scymnus as representatives of
the CoccINELLID@, while the CRYPTOPHAGID were repre-
sented by Loderus tmpressus Lec., and the DascyLiipa by
Scirtes tibialis Guér. Wherever the herbage was more than
ordinarily thick, or a clump of fresh sprouts had sprung from
an old trunk, we were pretty sure to find one or two JZono-
crepidius lividus De G.; in the inner recesses of the thickets,
Where vines and bushes, matted together, overhung the nar-
row pathways, a few of the little Ptinids, //em7ftychus stmi-
fis Lec. and Eupactus viticola Sz. were shaken from their
leafy shelters. SCARABAIDA4 were by no means common, and
seemed confined to two species,— 7r7chius delta Forst., which
was seen flying about flowers, and is rendered conspicuous
and easily recognizable by the triangular yellow mark on its
black thorax; and Canthon levis Drury, which was found
but once, in cow-droppings. This last species ranges from
Canada and New England to Florida and the south. of Cali-

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 153

fornia, and varies in color from green and blue to bronze or
black. Those taken at Key West were of the blue form
ordinarily found in the south. The Curysomeiip, though
few in species, were common enough in individuals, the little
Metachroma pellucida Cr. being one of the most plentiful
species on the island. Greburius larvatus Newm. and Chely-
mor pha (argus? Licht.) were rare, the latter occurring on a
convolvulaceous plant near the beach. The Cistelid //ymen-
orus convexus Casey, so common in the Tortugas, was occa-
sionally beaten from leaves here, and one of them was taken
from the mouth of a large Asilid fly. The flowers of one
tree, unknown by name, were swarming with Owaczs of
apparently three species, none of which can be identified with
those already known as members of our fauna. The Rhyn-
chophora were moderately numerous, <Arispus floridanus
Horn and Lachnopus floridanus Horn being the most com-
mon, while a few Axthonomus julichit Dietz were found cling-
ing to the under surface of leaves.

‘In the streets and on vacant lots there were a few beetles
noticed that did not come to hand in the wooded part of the
island. ‘These were Alapstinus opacus Lec., which was com-
mon on sandy spots under old boards, rags, or anything in
fact that offered shelter from the burning sun; Zophobas
moro, a large black Tenebrionid only lately received as a
member of our fauna; a pretty Buprestid of the genus Po/y-
cesta and the unwelcome but common Dermestes vulpinus Fabr.
which on one occasion came aboard our vessel in swarms
while we were lying at the wharf. In the dusk they flew
about our hatches, no doubt attracted by the smell of the
large collections stored below, like carrion-flies about a car-
cass.

+A passing mention of some insects of the remaining orders
must suffice for the present, most of the few obtained being
still unidentified. Of Hemiptera we have the names of 7/y-
anta custator Fabr. and Fuschistus crenatus Fabr. and also took a
species of Lygwus and one of //olymenia. Of Diptera, vari-
ous energetic mosquitoes were numerous, and a large Asilid

154 NatTuraL Hisrory BulLetTIn.

was not uncommon, being found chiefly at rest on fences, and
easily taken by hand without the aid of a net. Two speci-
mens of Fyrestalis vinctorum Fabr. were captured, one of
them being taken from the clutches of the Asilid mentioned
before. Of the Hymenoptera, we might mention Stzzzs
hogardvi Latr., a very fine wasp, reddish in color, with smoky
wings, the tip of the abdomen black; a small species of Pom-
pilus; a female example of Spherophthalma ferrugata Fabr.,
which occurs also as far north as New England; and a female
Kvania appendigasicr Linn., a curious insect of a deep black
color, the small subtriangular compressed abdomen appearing
out of all proportion to the heavy thorax.”!

The following interesting account of pelagic [lemiptera is
quoted from an article by Mr. Wickham that appeared in
“The Entomological News,” February, 1894:

On the second of July, while at anchor near the Sand Key Light, a few
/Talobates were seen near the vessel between three and four o’clock in the
afternoon. By getting into a boat which was lying alongside, no difficulty
was experienced in capturing two or three that came within reach of the net.
The next day, while the vessel was under way with quite a pleasant breeze,
they were seen again, before seven o’clock in the morning, skimming
about the bows. Two or three were again taken by sitting in the chains
under the bow-sprit and “jabbing” at them with a c1ab-net lined with bolt-
ing cloth, as often as one crossed our course. By eight o’clock they were
less numerous. With the aid of the Report, previously mentioned, they
were determined as //alobates wullerstorfi Frauenf. a name afterwards
verified by Mr. O. Heidemann, of Washington.

The following day more of them were seen in Lat. 24° 24’ N., Long. 70°
49 W. Immediately after dinner, when the water was still, except for a
smooth swell, a specimen was caught in a crab-net and turned loose, with-
out being touched by the fingers, into a tub of salt water on the deck. The
insect at once commenced to scud around on the surface with movements
so rapid that the eve could not follow them, and any observations on the
mode of locomotion were out of the question. In a few minutes partial
exhaustion succeeded these violent exertions, and it was then seen that the
long middle pair of feet did nearly all the work of progression, the anterior
pair being carried folded up (nearly) and projecting forwards, a little to
each side of the head. The antennz point forwards and outwards, form-
ing a Y. When the bug tires, the muscles at the insertion of the legs
appear to weaken first, and the body is let down on to the water. It there
restsin very much the position shown in Mr. Walker’s figure in the “Entom.

1H, F. Wickham.

— ee

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 255

Monthly Magazine” for October, 1893, though my sketches, made on the
spot, show sharper angles at all the knee joints. The same position is not
always maintained, however, by different specimens.

The movements of a tired specimen were as follows: In making a stroke
the middle legs were brought forward until the tips were about on a line
with the head. They were then rapidly brought back so as to nearly
touch the tips of the hind pair, which were moved comparatively but little-
The posterior feet seem to be used to steer with rather than as an aid in pro-
gression. The four legs work in unison, not alternately, 7. e., the middle legs
keep time with each other and with the hinder pair. The tips of the legs
rest on the water, and are not immersed in it so that the little hollows near
each, caused by the weight of the insect, can plainly be seen. With cap-
tive specimens sunlight acted as a stimulant, and evoked activity, which
was lessened by shade.

One /falobates was then placed in a tightly corked bottle, filled, when
immersed, so as to make certain that no air was enclosed, except the thin
film which invested the insect. This was done at 1:22 P.M., and at 1:30
was witnessed what was then supposed to be the final struggle with death;
after the expiration of four minutes this recommenced, and was continued
at irregular intervals until 1:43, after whichno more were seen until 1:48,
at which time a tiny bubble of air made its way from the cork, and at 1:58
another of these bubbles evoked a feeble struggle, the last. When finally
removed to the alcohol bottle, not a movement could be detected, and the
insect was undoubtedly drowned. ‘This would appear to antagonize the
theory that they stay beneath the surface in stormy weather. I also
noticed, with several specimens, that they could (or would?) only dive after
being wet so that “skimming” was impossible, but this does not agree with
the observations of other naturalists, and I recognize its practical worthless-
ness as purely negative evidence.

This was by far the richest field for Crustacea that we
encountered during our work. The Brachyura were, as
usual, the most abundant forms and a never-failing source of
interest to the students, who were constantly discovering some
grotesque shape or special protective modification. Between
forty:and fifty species of Brachyura were secured here, hardly
a haul coming up without its quota. This collection will be
systematically treated in a forthcoming report by Miss Mary
J. Rathbun, of the Smithsonian Institution, and it is to her
kindness that the identification of these forms is due. By far

the greater number belong to the Maioid group, commonly

oO
g
called ‘sea-spiders.”. Three species of Podoche/a were found,
the first, P. graci/ifes Stm., having the first true walking leg

very greatly lengthened, being about twice as long as the

156° NaturauL History BULLETIN.

next leg. It came from a depth of about sixty fathoms. P.
lamelligera Stimp. is much larger, very hairy, and has the
carapace almost completely covered with bits of shell, coral,
sand, etc. Anamathia crassa A. M. E. was by far the largest
species of Crustacean collected, some specimens being con-
siderably over a foot in “spread.” They were bright red and
yellow, and the two largest specimens had the body and
appendages covered with a species of barnacle. Two stout
processes like horns extend forward from the rostrum, and
two very long, sharp spines extend laterally from the margin
of the carapace. A single specimen of Anomalothie furcillatus
Stm. was dredged from a depth of one hundred fathoms. _ It
has a very long body, which is produced forward into an
immense rostrum bifurcating into two divergent horns. Z/s-
pognathus thomsont Norman came up from a depth of two
hundred fathoms, and is Characterized by having much larger
and longer chelipeds than most of the other Maioids. Avach-
nopsis jfilipes Stm. has three long cylindrical spines on the
median line of the carapace. It seems to be rather common,
as we took it at six different stations. Avas7mus /alus Rathb.
is represented by a young specimen with very slender chele.
Pyromaia cuspidata Stm. also came from a depth of two
hundred fathoms, and is aptly named from the two curved
lateral spines which project from the lower side of the long,
strong rostrum like the canine teeth from below the snout of
a pig. Pela mutica (Gibbes) is from shallow water near Key
West, and is much stouter and shorter-legged than the pre-
ceding. Three species of J/acroceloma were secured. The
largest, J7. seplemspinosa Stm., has a very stout body, armed,
as the name indicates, with seven spines,—three median, two
lateral, and two in a line connecting the opposite lateral ones.
The rostrum is produced into an expanded plate, bifurcated
near its distal end. Perzcera cornuta celata A. M. E. was
common, being secured at several stations. Some specimens
of this species were so covered with sponge that their shape
could not be distinguished, and their antennz must have been
practically useless. The chele are unusually small in this

Pe

ie > as

M. F. LINDER, DEL.

Crabs and Gorgonians from Pourtalés Plateau.

Fig.
Fig.
Fig.
Fig.
Fig.

fa

=

cea

>.

de.
eos

SOLENOLAMBRUS TYPICUS. Stm.
PLATYLAMBRUS SERRATUS. M. Edw.
PILUMNUS GEMMATUS. Stimp.
Gorgonian.,

Magnified calicles.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 157

group, but one would think that the formidable spines would
render concealment rather a superfluous protection from most
of its enemies. Three species of J/¢¢hrax were secured from
comparatively shallow water. Indeed this genus is not repre-
sented in our collections from deep water.

The family ParTHINopip4 is represented in the West
Indies by numerous species of Lamdbrus and its allies, most of
which are characterized by peculiarly shaped chelipeds, the
hand being trigonal and greatly elongated, and the fingers
very short. The old genus Lamdérus has been divided by
Milne Edwards into at least ten genera. Platylambrus ser-
ratus (M. E.) was found in shallow water both here and at the
Tortugas, while Lambrus fourtalesta Stm. was found in
abundance on the Pourtales Plateau proper, and also in deep
water off Havana, being one of the few species secured on
both sides of the Gulf Stream from deep water. Lambrus
agonus Stimp. has very long and slender chelipeds, and is
one of the numerous species secured by Count Pourtalés
during his memorable explorations of the Gulf Stream. The
same is true of Lambrus fraterculus Stimp., with shorter chel-
ipeds and a carapace longer than‘ broad. The genus So/en-
olambrus was separated from Lambrus on account of its
smooth, polished carapace and other more technical charac-
ters. Our specimen of Solenolambrus typicus Stimp. differs
from all the other Maioids in the collection in being colored a
bright blue, this color covering the whole of the body and
appendages, with the exception of parts of the chelipeds.
The hand has ten very regular and conspicuous scallops on
the upper edge, and the edges of all joints of the chelipeds
are beautifully crenulated.. It came from a depth of about
fifty fathoms. In the original description of this species, the
color is not given. If our specimen is normal, we have here
a very unusual coloration for a comparatively deep-water
Crustacean, (this species having been taken in depths of from
fifty to two hundred and forty-eight fathoms.) Almost all the
other Crustacea secured by us from a greater depth than
twenty fathoms were either lacking in bright color or were a

158 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

deep, pure red,! a few having yellow markings. I have no
recollection of any other species with any considerable amount
of blue. Cryptopodia concava Stimp.* is found both on the
Bahama Banks and on the Pourtales Plateau.

About a dozen species of Cancroid crabs were collected
here, representing as many genera. The largest species was
Bathynectes longispina Stimp., which derives its name from
the long spine projecting from the lateral angle of the cara-
pace. Four smaller spines are found between it and the eye,
and each of the last four joints of the chelipeds bears a spine
on its upper front margin. A minute species of Calappa, C.
angusta (M. E.), was dredged in about eighty fathoms not far
from Key West. Osochila tuberosa Stimp. is peculiar in hay-
ing the entire lower surface of the body and mouth-parts cov-
ered with irregular pits, giving a honey-combed appearance.
Probably the most abundant crab on the Pourtales Plateau is
the little Cyclodorippe nitida A. M. Edw., which came up by
the score at nearly every haul in the Gulf Stream. The gen-
eral color is bright red, varied with white, and the surface is
smooth and glossy. It is one of the species discovered by the
“Blake.” Cymopolus asper A.M. E. is another “Blake” spe-
cies, with an exceedingly hispid surface and a considerable
portion of the abdomen visible from above.

But three species of Anomuran crabs were collected in this
region. One was the hermit crab Cenobita diogenes Latr.,
almost omnipresent on the sandy keys, especially Sand Key
proper, where a bucket full was collected in a short time.
The exposed portions of these animals are most brilliantly
colored, the large claw being a clear dark blue, while the
other exposed feet are bright red. .Their favorite habitation
seems.to be the shell of Astralium celatum Gmel., which is
abundant here. This is, in fact, a hermit crab which has
adopted a terrestrial habit almost, if not quite, as complete as

1Professor Verrill thinks that the red color, on account of the actinic

properties of the pale-green light at great depths, is protective, only

appearing bright when exposed to daylight.

2 SEC pe 51.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 159

that of the true land-crabs of the Bahamas. Those from Sand
Key were most of them collected under the loose boards of
the floor of an outhouse, where they fairly swarmed. It is a
curious fact that these crabs are passionately found of offal,
which will so attract them that the vicinity will quickly be
swarming with the hermits disporting themselves much after
the manner of “tumble-bugs.” Another hermit crab, Leupa-
gurus discoidalis A. M. E. was brought up from a depth of
two hundred fathoms.

The Macroura of the expedition have not yet been named,
but the collection, though small, contains some striking forms.
One species closely resembles the J/unida figured on page
43 of “Three Cruises of the Blake.” ‘The chelipeds aré
ereatly elongated, the fingers slender, and the back covered
with transverse corrugations. The rostral spine is very sharp,
and is flanked by a much shorter spine on each side. The
abdomen seems to be habitually flexed, while the last walk-
ing leg is carried over the back. A number of specimens
were brought up from a depth of about eighty fathoms.
Another species apparently allied to this had a central rostral
spine with two long sharp spines on each side. There is a
row of anteriorly directed spines on the edge of the cara-
pace, and one on each side of the first abdominal segment.
The last pair of walking legs are very minute, gad appear
at first glance to be lacking. A further investigation shows,
however, that they are tucked away out of sight under the
flexed abdomen. The chelipeds are much more spiny than
in the last species. Specimens of this form were dredged
from one hundred and two hundred fathoms. :

Perhaps the most beautiful Macrouran secured from the
Pourtalés Plateau was a iVematocarcinus, which was of a
brilliant red color. It differs from A. enseferus S. 1. Smith
mainly in the much longer rostrum. This feature seems,
however, to be quite variable both in length and curvature.
In one specimen the rostrum is two and one-half inches long,
more than half the length of the thorax and abdomen com-
bined. In another it is very gracefully curved, and only an

160 NaturAL History BULLETIN.

inch long. In each case it is strongly serrated on its upper
edge. The antennz are enormously lengthened, projecting
fully nine inches beyond the end of the rostrum and nearly a
foot beyond the eyes. The walking legs are also greatly
elongated, and are furnished with tufts of hair which are said
to aid the animal in resting on the soft bottom. This species
may be identical with Vematocarcinus ensiferus, Dut our
specimens came from much shallower water than those secured
by the “ Blake,” which were found in from eight hundred to
fourteen hundred fathoms. Ours were taken from one hun-
dred to one hundred and twenty fathoms.

Quite a number of specimens of the genus A/pheus were
secured, belonging apparently to more than one _ species.
Most of them were dredged from a depth of over one
hundred fathoms, although all the specimens secured by the
“Challenger” came from depths of less than sixty fathoms.
On a previous page I was unable to explain the clicking noise
made by the large chelz of these animals. Since that passage
was in print, however, I find that Professor W. K. Brooks.
offers the following explanation: ‘The claw or dactyl is pro-
vided with a plug which fits into a weil or socket in the other
joint, and probably serves to prevent dislocation. When the
forceps are opened the dactyl is raised so that the plug just
rests in the mouth of the socket. As soon as the claw is re-
leased it is suddenly and violently closed, as if by a spring, and
the solid, bony points striking together produce a sharp metal-
lic report something like the click of a water-hammer, and so
much like the noise of breaking glass that I have often, when
awakened at night by the click of a little A/pheus less than an
inch long, hastened down to the laboratory in the fear that a
large aquarium had been broken.”! In speaking of their pug-
nacious habits, the same writer says: ‘ Watching its oppor-
tunity, it springs suddenly upon its enemy, instantly closing its
claw with a violent snap and a loud report, and cutting a ver-
tical sweep with its sharp edge. I have often seen Alpheus

1The Embryology and Metamorphosis of the Macroura, W. Kk. Brooks
and F. Hl. Hérrick, page 320:

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. I61

heterochelts cut another completely in two by a single blow, and
the victim is then quickly dismembered and literally torn to
fragments.”

Among the more aberrant forms of Crustaceans may be
mentioned a Gonodactylus found in shallow water near Key
West. A number of specimens of PycNnoGonipA were col-
lected, a group characterized by exceedingly elongated legs
which are eight in number, and thus approach the spider type.
Attempts have been made to homologize the different append-
ages with those of the ARACHNIDA, but this is considered
impossible by Mr. Edmund B. Wilson, who has studied this
group.' Several of our specimens show the egg-sacs attached
to the ovigerous legs of the male. They all came from com-
paratively deep water, eighty to two hundred fathoms, and the
eyes in all are either rudimentary or at least not well pig-
mented. To the non-specialist there appears to be three or
four species in our material from the Pourtalés Plateau, one of
which is probably an Ascorhynchus.

Four or five species of barnacles were secured from this
region,—two of the Ba/anus type and two of the Legas type.
One of the former seemed specially addicted to attaching itself
to the spines of a sea-urchin (Dorocedaris papillata). A very
large Lefas was dredged from a depth of one hundred and
twenty fathoms. Another and smaller form was found to be
very abundant on the body and appendages of the largest crab
taken in this region, Avamathia crassa A. M. E.

Very few worms were taken from the Pourtalés Plateau,
and these were small, tube-dwelling forms. A number of
large Brachiopods were dredged from a depth of about one
hundred fathoms. ‘They were apparently of two species, one
belonging to the genus 7erebratula and closely resembling the
figure of 7. cubens’s Davidson. It is by far the less abundant
of the two, at least in the series secured by us. The other
species appears to be Waldheimia floridana. The admirable
joint formed by the apposed margins of the two valves in this
species is shown by the fact that a specimen will hold alcohol

1 Bulletin Mus. Comp. Zodl., Vol. VIII, No. 12, page 241.

o
So

162 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

without any perceptible leakage, and a long soaking in that
fluid is necessary before the Brachiopod will become filled.
Another interesting fact is the extreme thinness of these shells
in comparison with those from shallow water.

About twenty species of mollusks were found here. Prob-
ably the most striking fact concerning them is the great pre-
ponderance of the Gastropods over the Lamellibranchs, only
two species of the latter being found, and one of these
( Chione cingenda) was a dead shell taken from shallow water
near Key West. ‘The only living species was a small Arca,
from a depth of sixty fathoms, and hence not from the Pour-
talés Plateau proper. With the above exceptions, all the
specimens were Gastropods. A species of 7erebrva has a beau-
tifully sculptured shell in the form of a greatly elongated cone,
ornamented with revolving ridges with crescentic cross mark_
ings between. Among the rarities may be mentioned two
specimens of Voluta junonia Chemn., which Tryon in his
‘¢ Marine Mollusca of the United States,” published in 1873,
calls “the most rare and valuable American marine shell.”
Neither specimen was living, however, but one contained a
hermit crab. A small and highly ornate /usus (4° eacosmius
Dall’), is characterized by fine revolving ridges and swollen

“varices. While the colors of these deep-water mollusks are
seldom brilliant, the sculpturing and ornamentation of form
renders them more beautiful, it seems to me, than their shal-
low-water representatives. A small species of Columbella,
for instance, looks as if covered with regularly disposed rows
of pearly beads, while superficial ornamentation would seem
to reach the limit of extravagance in AZurex cabriti Bernardi,
which is found in shallower water and has the added beauty
of a delicate pink color. This elegant mollusk has the an-
terior portion greatly elongated into a slender, straight spine
beset with long, curved, horn-like processes which project at
right angles. Similar spines ornament the varices of the
shell. ‘The species was found by the Blake as deep as one
hundred and sixty-four fathoms. Three other species of
Murex were secured, all having conspicuous spines. They

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 163

seemed to be JZ. nodatus Reeve, J7. fulvescens Sowerby, and
M. pomum Gmel. !

The class Scaphopoda was represented by a_ beautiful
Dentalium, probably LY. fagueutum Verrill. ‘This is a white
species, less curved than many of the genus, and marked with
deep longitudinal fluting.

A remark made by Dr. Dall, to the effect that hermit crabs
which inhabit straight shells are themselves bilaterally sym-
metrical, is illustrated by a little hermit which had taken up
its abode in one of these tube-like structures of the Denta-
tium. Upon removing the crab, it was found to be as straight
and symmetrical as any normal Crustacean.

The reason for the beautiful surface ornamentation of many
of the deep-water mollusks is not piain. It seems unlikely
that the light produced by phosphorescence or otherwise
could make it possible for these beauties to be seen, even if
the molluscan eye were capable of such discernment. A cer-
- tain beauty is of course imparted to these shells by their very
delicacy, but the purely superficial lines and bead-like orna-
mentation is, beautiful, aside from any quality of texture.
Perhaps the best suggestion bearing on this point is made by
Dr. W. H. Dall in the admirable discussion with which he in-
troduces his report on the Mollusca of the “ Blake.” He says:
“Much of the sculpture which is presented by the deep-sea
species is particularly beautiful from its delicacy. ‘There
seems to be an especial tendency to strings of bead-like
knobs, revolving stria and threads, and delicate transverse
waves. It is particularly notable that many of the deep-sea
forms, among all sorts of groups indifferently, have a row of
knobs or pustules following the line of the suture and imme-
diately in front of it. The representatives of the rock-purples,
or Murices, a group which in shallow water frequent the
rocks and stony places, and are then strongly knobbed or
spinous, retain a similar character in the deeps, but the pro-
cesses in question are extremely delicate or foliaceous, instead

1} The author is here, as elsewhere, indebted to Mr. H. F. Wickham for
the preliminary and approximate identification of Mollusca.

164 NATURAL Eistory BuLtedin

of being stout and strong. This is probably a reminiscence
of the time when their distant progenitors were shallow water
animals.”’ 1

The opinion seems quite general among those who have
studied the animal life of the deep sea, that it has been peo-
pled in a general way by a gradual invasion of forms which,
originally adapted to the conditions of littoral surroundings,
have encroached more and more upon the unoccupied terri-
tory in deeper water, where they were, for a time at least,
free from the fierce competition to which shallow water forms
are subjected. We can account, on this principle, for the
ornamentation of the deep-water Mollusca by regarding it as
merely the remnant of more conspicuous characters which
have been of use to the ancestors of these forms before they
retreated from the shallow water, where the structures form-
ing the ornamentation were of use either as protective con-
trivances or as a means to attract the opposite sex.

The broken shell of an Argonaula (argo?) was all that we
obtained during the cruise to represent these exquisitely deli-
cate and beautiful animals. Indeed, it was the only Cephalo-
pod found on the Pourtales Plateau. The whole great group
of Pteropods is also unrepresented in our collections, although
we had expected surely to encounter some of them in this
region.

Great numbers of Crinoids were collected here, but the
species were comparatively few. The two common West
Indian genera were represented, but none of the rarer forms
were obtained. We especially regretted our failure to secure
specimens of /ehzzocrinus, a genus which is represented by
abundant individuals in certain definite spots on the Pourtales
Plateau. ,

That there are portions of the sea bottom covered with as
dense a growth of crinoids as any that flourished in Paleozoic
seas, has been proved more than once by recent deep-sea
explorations. We had ample demonstration of this fact on
several occasions, notably when the tangles came up after a

1 Bulletin Mus. Comp. Zodl., Vol. XII, No. 6, page 184.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 165

haul at a depth of one hundred and twenty fathoms. As the
bar neared the surface and the tangles themselves could be
seen rising through the blue water, we noticed that a stream
of brownish objects was trailing after it, as if innumerable
mossy bits were floating away from the hemp strands. When
the tangles came on board we found them literally covered
with a mass of crinoids, all of one kind and quite small. We
estimated that at least five hundred specimens came up in
that haul, and it was evident that hundreds or thousands
had washed off during the ascent of the tangles from the sea
bottom. This was probably the greatest number of indivi-
duals of any one species obtained at a single haul during the
entire cruise. The bottom must have been actually packed
with them in spots. It appears that other expeditions secured
almost as great numbers of /?h7zocr7nus at a single haul,
and over a hundred specimens of Peztacrinus came up at
once on the tangles while the “Blake” was working in
the Caribbean. When we remember that these forms all
seem to occur in isolated colonies where the individuals are
very numerous, and that great areas of the sea bottom have
never been touched by dredge or tangles, it becomes evident
that the Crinoidea form a much more important element in
the fauna of the great deep than most people, even zodlogists,
suppose. This fact is still further emphasized when one
examines the splendid volumes of the “Challenger” Report
which are devoted to the Crinoidea and finds that over two
hundred and fifty species of the ComaTruLz and some thirty
species of the PENTACRINIDa are therein described and
figured.

Probably no group of animals secured on the Pourtales
Plateau contained more that is of interest to the general natu-
ralist than the class As¢terordea.2, None of the star-fish were

'The bearing of this spot, as near as we could get it, is Sand Key Light,
fifteen miles distant, bearing N. by W. 4% W.

?The following approximate identifications were made mainly with the
help of the ‘‘Challenger” Report on the Asteroidea, by W. Percy Sladen,

F. L.S.

166 NatrurRAL History: BULLETIN.

very large, but many were of unusual beauty. Several spe-
cies of Astropecten were secured. One was a rather small
species with a series of spines on the supero-marginal plates
and several closely crowded rows on the infero-marginals.
The abactinal surface was covered with paxille, with their
beautiful radiating spinelets, resembling the spokes of a steer-
ing-wheel. Another Astrofecten was about as large as the
last, but had very few spines on the supero-marginal plates,
and four very small laterai spines set in an oblique series on
the infero-marginals. The paxilla were crowned with a dense
cluster of partially coalesced vertical spinelets. This species
came from a depth of one hundred and ten fathoms. The
interesting genus Lwzdia is represented by Z. a@/ternata (Say ).
a large, slender-rayed form bristling with long, marginal
spines, which are chocolate brown basally and pure white
distally. The paxilla have each a stout, vertical spine set in
its centre. The two lateral rows of paxillae are without this
spine. Quite small specimens are white throughout in alcohol,
while larger individuals have the spines colored as in the
adult, but the disk white, as in the young. Other specimens,
possibly of a distinct species, have all the paxilla bearing
comparatively short, blunt spines. Like others of the genus,
these specimens exhibited an aggravating tendency to shed
their rays, so that a really complete specimen is hard to find.
They came from shallow water near Key West.

The family Gy MNASTERIID# is represented by Poronza sp..
a small pentagonal form with the lower inter-radial spaces
nearly bare, there being only a few isolated spines on the
smooth plates. “Lhe marginal plates bear a very beautiful
ornamentation in the shape of two series of fan-shaped tufts
of spines, giving very much the appearance of the peculiar
scallops resulting from the use of the old-fashioned pinking-
iron on cloth. There are two series of interambulacral
spines. The single specimen of this pretty star-fish came
from a depth of about one hundred and ten fathoms. A spe-
cies which I take to be an Anthenordes has gracefully tapering
arms and very conspicuous marginal plates, the upper series

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 167

of which are contingent on the outer portion of the ray. The
entire dorsal surface of the animal is covered with a pavement
of polygonal plates closely set with granules.

The order Cryptozonia was instituted by Sladen to include
the star-fishes with inconspicuous marginal plates. It con-
tains most of the prizes among the Asteroidea from the Pour-
tales Plateau. An Ofphidiaster, resembling O. tuberifer Sladen
has the dorsal plates arranged in regular longitudinal series
alternating with eight rows of spaces for dermal tentacles or
papule. On the actinal surface of the rays just outside of
the spines is a row of very peculiarly modified pedicellaria,
which are large and sessile with holes countersunk in the
plates on either side. The rays are very slender and the disk
small, giving the animal a striking resemblance to Zoroaster
ackleyt as figured in the narrative of the Blake. Coming to
the family SoLASTERID., we find several remarkable forms.
One looks like a five-armed Cvossaster, but probably belongs
to the genus Lophaster of Verrill, characterized by two rows
of marginal paxille. which are long and crowned with dense
tufts of spines. The whole dorsal surface is covered with
similar but smaller tufts. Another specimen, which may be
a young individual of this same species, has only four rays,
making a cross. This seems to be normal and not the result
of mutilation. The interambulacral spines bear clusters of
minute spinelets on their summits. Several specimens of a
species probably belonging to the genus /vorethasfer were
dredged near the one-hundred-fathom line. They are small.
pentagonal specimens, with a highly vaulted disk resembling
that of the last species. The actinal surface, however, was
quite different, being covered with long, flat spines. The
paxilla are very long and apparently composed of agglutinated
spines whose tips are separated. It differs from the type of
the genus in having dermal tentacles on the dorsal surface.
Species of this strange genus were found by the “ Blake” at a
depth of two hundred fathoms.

It was among the AsTEeRiDa, however, that the most
striking forms of star-fish were found. The most abundant,

168 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

perhaps, was a little six-rayed species with rays unsymmet-
rically developed, giving the appearance of immature speci-
mens. The largest was not over three-fourths of an inch
in diameter. There were two rows of interambulacral spines.
The most beautiful of all was a species closely related to
Asterias volsellata Sladen, which was discovered by the

?

Challenger” near the coast of Japan. Our specimens were
small, the largest being about two and one-half inches in
diameter. This superbly ornamented star-fish has eleven arms
which are very slender and abruptly differentiated from the
disk, reminding one of the serpent-stars. Each ray has two
lateral and a dorsal series of long, stout spines, and around the
middle of each spine is packed a globular cluster of pedicel-
laria, as if a white bead were strung on each spine, giving
an exceedingly elegant and graceful style of ornamentation.
Another row of these spines, likewise ornamented with the
globular clusters of pedicellaria, is placed between the dorsal
and lateral rows on each arm. The dorsal surface bears a
large number of dermal tentacles. The interambulacral
plates bear two series of long spines. ‘The ambulacral feet
are large and greatly protruded in our specimens. One
individual had twelve instead of eleven arms, and another had
lost nine out of its eleven, but had evidently not given up the
fight, as nine new arms were sprouting in their proper places
around the disk. Another specimen, perhaps representing a
separate species, had but ten arms and each globular bundle
of pedicellariz was borne on the summit of a spine, giving an
exceedingly elegant effect. Indeed this particular specimen
is the most beautiful star-fish that we secured during the trip.
Another Asferzas belonging, as did the last, to the sub-genus
Stolasterias, has but five rays. The spines are ornamented
with the little globular bundles of pedicellariza. There is a
well marked median dorsal row of spines, two lateral rows
and two between the dorsal and lateralrows. On the ventral
surface there are two rows of interambulacral spines pointing
at right angles to each other. Next there is a row of simple
spines without pedicellariz, and then comes the lateral row

uss §

ay

ONES.
Bee Take tat
es

Dredd)

ee

M. F. LINDER, DEL.

‘

Starfish from Pourtales Plateau.

?) sp.

s (

OPHIDIASTER (?) sp.

ANTHENOID

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

RIAS sSp., near VOLCELLATA Sladen.

3. ASTE

Fig.

pa Pea oe eae

o
;
f

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 169

bearing a half globe of pedicellariw, on their upper surfaces.
At the bases of these last are very large sessile pedicellariz.
These specimens were about four inches in diameter, and
came from a depth of seventy to eighty fathoms.

A species belonging to the PENTAGONASTERID agrees in
almost every detail with the unusually complete description
given by Sladen for the genus Lefptogonaster, although it also
agrees superficially with the figure given of Anthenordes
piercer (Perrier) secured by the Blake. Our specimen has
no pedicellariz on the dorsal surface; the disk 1s large; the
arms taper gradually to a slender point; the upper surface
is covered with polygonal plates, between which numerous
papulz appear; there is a well marked ridge on the supero-

marginal plates; the infero-marginal plates are armed on their

external edges with a row of spines; the actinal surface is
covered with granulated plates; the interambulacral plates are
armed with fan-shaped groups of spines, immediately outside
of which is another series of larger and stouter spines, and
outside of these a row of very large, procumbent pedicellaria ;
diameter about five inches; depth eighty fathoms.

One of the most noticeable things about the OpnHiuripz®
was their tendency to appear in great quantities of individuals
belonging to a single species, as if they lived in definite spots
of the sea bottom which were densely crowded with certain
species to the exclusion of others. Professor Alexander Agas-
siz has noted this peculiarity of the fauna of the Pourtalés
Plateau, and his observation was amply confirmed by our ex-
perience, more particularly in connection with the serpent-
stars. The number of species was not very great, but the
individuals were in surprising quantities. The most extensive
colony of any one species of Ophiuran that the writer has ever
seen was not here, however, but in the Bay of Fundy, where
in dredging the channel between two islands, the dredge came
up time after time filled to the top with Ophiopholrs bellis
Lym. and a species of coralline.

Among the OpniuriD or serpent-stars, probably the most
abundant species was a small white Ophiog/ypha, with the disk

170 NatTuRAL History BULLETIN.

covered with scale-like plates, large, triangular, radial shields,
a fringe of scale-like genital plates extending around over the
bases of the arms, and very long arm-joints. The actinal sur-
face was peculiar in the round, scale-fringed pores for the
tentacles,the very large mouth-shields, the slender side mouth-
shields, and three curiously shaped mouth-papilla. There

were three very short arm-spines, the middle one being the.

shortest. Another species closely allied to the last has much
longer arm-spines and differently shaped arm-plates. They
came from comparatively shallow water. A small species of
Amphiura has two mouth-papille, one tentacle-scale, and six
unequal arm-spines. Depth about one hundred and thirty
fathoms. The genus Ofhzocoma is represented by a single
species. and a single specimen. The disk is closely covered
with stumpy nodules or blunt spines, there are two tentacle-
scales, five or six arm-spines, five mouth-papille, and very
numerous, closely set, tooth-papilla. “The mouth-shield is very
large and roughly beart-shaped. A species of Ophzocamax
dredged from near the one-hundred-fathom line shows an
approach to Astrephyton in its spiniform mouth-papilla and
tooth-papilla, although in other respects it is a typical ser-
pent-star. The disk is symmetrically studded with spinulose
stumps, and the radial shields are small and triangular. ‘There
are nine long arm-spines which bear spinelets over their entire
surface instead of along the sides only. A still nearer approach
to the basket-fish type is found in a species of Ophzomyxa,
which has four arm-spines that are larger and sharper than in
O. flaccida. Our specimens came from a depth of twenty to
sixty fathoms.

But the greatest surprise revealed by our dredges and
tangles while working on the Pourtales Plateau was the great
quantity of AsrropiytTip, both simple-armed and branched.
As in the preceding group, we were constantly struck with
the tendency on the part of single species to occur in great
numbers on definite spots of the sea bottom. Especially was
this true of the simple-armed forms, a group which none of
us had seen before our experience off the Cuban coast. On

Se ee ee

Se ~ & BL
POR R VEN a ies REPL EG, 4 OOF ISITE Wer,

\ il piano
= linn, eae

arid

Ngee
TNR area,

ACY"?

yal 4 se ison rave
nn

ie ie

co

“aa

M. F. LINDER, DEL.

‘

Simple-armed Basket Fish from Pourtales Plateau.

Lyman.

OPHIOCREAS LUMBRICUS.
ASTROGOMPHUS VALLATUS.

ig. 1.

¥

Lyman.

Fig. 2.

Disk of same, ventral view.

Fig. 2a.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. roy

the Pourtales Plateau some of these forms came up by the
hundreds, and proved that they were even more abundant
than the regular serpent-stars. ‘The most common and strik-
ing species of this interesting group was Ophzocreas lumbricus
Lyman, in which the sharply defined radial ridges run nearly
to the centre of the disk. The spine-like tentacle-scales are
in pairs, the lower being about twice the length of an arm-
joint. The whole animal is covered with a smooth skin, and
the long arms look like earth-worms; hence the name,—
‘lumbricus.” Alcoholic specimens give no adequate idea of
these striking forms. They were very conspicuous as they
came up on the dredge or tangles, being of a bright orange
color. The rays of the largest specimen were fully two feet
long, making a spread of over four feet for the entire animal.
This is the largest measurement that I have heard of for any
Ophiuran. The disk itself is not over one inch in diameter,
seeming ridiculously small in proportion to the length of the
rays. It can easily be imagined that we were somewhat
excited when the first deep-water haul in that region brought
up a dozen or so of these brilliant creatures. It was no easy
matter, however, to extricate the long, snake-like arms from
the tangles and from each other. In fresh specimens’ there is
no indication of the arm-joints, giving a particularly smooth
and even polished appearance to the arms. This species
formed the type of the genus Opfhzocreas described by Lyman
from specimens brought back by the “ Blake.” We secured
a large series from depths varying from ninety to two hun-
dred fathoms. Indeed this seems to be one of the most char-
acteristic forms of the plateau. Another extremely abundant
simple-armed basket-fish is As/rogomphus vallatus Lyman,
another generic type yielded by the investigation of the
“Blake” material. This species, although not so conspicuous,
is even more numerous in individuals than the last. The
arms are much shorter in proportion than in Offvocreas, and
the entire surface is strongly hispid. The disk is armed
with radiating lines and concentric circles of stumpy, thorny
spines, while the arms are annulated with rings of thorny

7) NATURAL History BULLETIN.

granules and roll in a vertical direction, a true trade-mark of
the AsTROPHYTID&. A very prominent row of stout papil-
ia reaches between the bases of adjacent arms, separating the
upper from the lower surface of the disk. The mouth-
papillae and teeth are all spiniform. ‘The tentacle-scales are
usually four innumber, and are crowned with a clump of
spines. There are minute hooklets on the granules on the
dorsal surface of the arms. This species is corn-color in
life, and has the most rigid arms of any Ophiuran with which
I am acquainted, and its numerous spines, together with a
habit of rolling the arms up into a tight coil, made it exceed-
ingly troublesome to extricate from the tangles.

Coming to the typical basket-tish, 1. e., those with branched
arms, we have first to notice a magnificent specimen that
came up on the anchor one morning near Sand Key. This
was <Astrophyton costosum Seba, the same species as_ that
found at the Tortugas; but this particular specimen was a
remarkably fine one, and richly deserved our thanks for its
thoughtfulness in climbing onto our anchor and being hauled
aboard. This species does not appear to be so brittle as 4.
agassizii Stimp. Another species was from much deeper
water, and was quite common below the one-hundred-fathom
line. This is Astrophyton mucronatum Lyman, and is charac-
terized by high radial ribs, each bearing an irregular double
row of conspicuous thorny spines. ‘The center of the disk is
depressed and crowded with similar but smaller spines. The
proximal portions of the arms are also ornamented with spines
and marked with cross-bars of brown, the general color of the
animal being a light, buffy yellow. ‘There is but one madre-
poric body, and the tentacle-scales are considerably smaller
than in other species. The granules on the distal branches of
the arms bear hooklets resembling those found on <As¢ro-
gomphus vallatus, with which it was frequently associated.
This species was brought up clinging to deep-water gorgoni-
ans.

About fifteen species of Echinoidea were secured. These,
also, were found in definite spots where there were innumer-

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. We

able individuals of certain species, apparently to the exclusion
of others. This was particularly noticeable in the case of
Dorocidaris papillata A. Ag., which repeatedly came up on
the tangles by the hundred, and became a sore trial to our
patience, the serrated spines being especially difficult to disen-
gage from the tangles. Indeed, this labor became one of our
main occupations while on the Pourtales Plateau. Dovocidaris
bartlett? A. Ag. is a beautiful species with the spines banded
with red and white. Dorocidaris blaker A. Ag. is regarded
by its describer as “perhaps the most interesting of the recent
Ciparip#&.” All of our specimens, unfortunately, were with-
out the peculiar fan-shaped spines or radioles which consti-
tute the most striking peculiarity of the species. The char-
acters of the test were well marked, however. Cvdaris trzbu-
lordes Bl. was also secured.

Celopleurus floridanus A. Ag. was probably the most beau-
tiful of the true sea-urchins collected at this time, some speci-
mens being considerably larger than those secured off Havana.
Not only are the long, slender spines brilliantly colored with
carmine and white or orange, but the test itself is equally
striking with its alternate chocolate and orange zones, making
it resemble the gorgeously colored balls in which children
delight. The largest sea-urchin secured during the entire
cruise came from a depth of one hundred and five fathoms.
This was a huge specimen of Asthenosoma hystrix A. Ag., a
representative of an ancient group of Echini, with flexible
tests and overlapping coronal plates. This specimen was
seven inches across the test, and was swollen out, when it
came on deck, to the regulation outline for a sea-urchin,
although Agassiz says that the Challenger specimens in alco-
hol were “as flat as pocket handkerchiefs, and were naturally
regarded as flat sea-urchins, although, of course, endowed with
great mobility of test.”! Our specimen gave us a good idea
of the temperature of the bottom, for it was inflated with
water which had not yet been warmed by the surface heat,
and felt icy cold to the hands. We soon discovered, however,

1¢Three Cruises of the ‘Blake,’” Vol. II, p. 94.

174 Natura. History BULLETIN.

that it was not an animal to be handled with impunity, as its
spines, although small, were exceedingly sharp, and inflicted a
wound so painful as to suggest some poisonous properties.
The specimen was of a dull vinaceous color.

A few specimens of Avchinometra subangularis Desml. were
found in comparatively shallow water. Two representatives
of the sculptured sea-urchins such as flourished during tertiary
times were secured. One was 7emnechinus maculatus A. Ag.,
characterized by a single large anal plate and radiate excava-
tions around the primary tubercles, and the other, Z77gono-
cidaris albida A. Ag., having four large, unequal anal plates
and the test beautifully ornamented with radiating ridges as if
athread had been wound around and around the test between
the spines. The pedicellaria are more conspicuous than in
most species, and the buccal membrane is set with large, ap-
parently imbricating plates. Both of these sculptured species
are very small in comparison with the others collected by us,
and are light colored, the former being light green and the
latter a buffy white. They are abundant on the Pourtales
Plateau from eighty to two hundred and fifty fathoms. Achz-
nus gracilis A. Ag. is another abundant species, which is

much more conspicuous than the last, being brightly colored

oO
5

g Asthenosoma

and the largest species from this region exceptin
hystrix. It is almost globular in form, and the test is a vivid
green with vertical series of sharply defined, diamond-shaped
white markings. The spines are white, short, and somewhat
sparse. Next to Dorocidaris papillata, this was the most
abundant species of sea-urchin found on the plateau.

Only two species of Clypeastrids were collected here.
Clypeaster subdepressus Ag. is a flat species with the centro-
dorsal region somewhat abruptly raised into a dome-shaped
eminence. ‘This species is particularly interesting from its
unusual distribution, being found on the African coast and off
the coast of Florida. I have not heard of its occurrence be-
tween these widely separated localities. It was dredged from
a depth of about sixty fathoms. Pa/eotropus josephene Loren
is the only representative of the Petalosticha that we secured.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 175

This is a small form with two genital openings and sparse
spines. It has also been found near the Azores. We found
it in depths from one hundred and ten to two hundred fathoms.

The Ceelenterates, with the exception of the hydroids, col-
lected by us in this region, have not as yet received more than
passing attention. It is evident, however, that the group is
richly represented in the collection, and contains many strik-
ing forms not ordinarily found in the museums of educational
institutions.

Among the Alcyonaria perhaps the most common form is a
beautiful species which I take to be a Caligorgia perhaps C.
gracilis M. Edw. Some specimens attain a height of two feet.
They branch in a palmate manner, the main stem giving off
alternate pinnee which may again divide in the same plane,

graceful flabellate structure. The calicles are

forming a
arranged in whorls of three to seven or eight, and are bent
inward at their summits and covered with beautifully marked
scales. The color of the colony is a buffy light yellow, but
when dried it is pure white and exceedingly brittle. The little
whorls of calicles appear like small white beads strung at reg-
ular intervals along the branches. Another common gor-
gonian seems to belong to the genus Platycaulus Wright. It
is much smaller than the last, of a bright red color, and flabel-
late in shape. The branching is very irregular, and the
branches occasionally anastomose. The calicles are on the
sides of the branches, leaving the front and back bare. The
polyps are protected with spicules and retract into verruci-
form calicles. This species is a very brilliantly colored one,
and came from our deeper dredgings in considerable abund-
ance.

Some very beautiful specimens ot /s7s were taken from a
depth of about one hundred and twenty fathoms. This coral
is peculiar in having a jointed appearance, owing to ivory-
white joints composed of limestone, alternating with shorter
brown, corneous, or horny joints. The whole colony attains
a height of about two feet, and the terminal branches are

exceedingly slender and erect, giving an appearance of unu-

176 NaturAL History BULLETIN.

sual delicacy and grace. Another very strange form came up
in the shape of long, harsh, hair-like filaments which were
unbranched and seemed to have a spiral twist. They looked
so much lke horse-hair that some one facetiously ventured
the suggestion that they were hairs from the sea-horse’s tail.
This is one of the Antipatharian corals, a group characterized
by having a flexible, horny axis beset. with thorns, while the
polyps have the unusual primitive number of six tentacles.
Our species would belong to the genus C7zrrhipathes, accord-
ing to Milne Edwards’ arrangement. Some of these speci-
mens attain a height of nearly three feet, and came from.a
depth of about sixty fathoms. Another species belonging to
this family is quite different in shape, having numerous pin-
nately disposed branches, which are very long in proportion to
the height of the colony, about three inches. It came from deep-
er water than the last, and does not seem to be so abundant.

Passing now to the regular corals, we find that a number
of the simple corals of the Cyathophylloid type are included
in the collection. They cannot, however, be even approxi-
mately identified with the literature at hand, unless we except
Pehizotrochus fragilis Pourtales and L/aplophyllia paradoxa
Pourtales.!. Several species were secured in considerable
quantities. One of these, probably a 7hecopsammia, was a
bright red when it came up in the dredge.

We were greatly surprised to see a number of specimens.
of Oculina, perhaps O. arbuscula Lesson, come up in the
dredge where the soundings indicated a depth of eighty fath-
oms. ‘The specimens were fresh, and had evidently been in
place when caught by the dredge. Several cyathophylloid
corals came up at the same time. I have seen no record of
reef-building species being found at such a depth. It does
not seem possible that there was an abrupt elevation upon
which the Ocu/ina was growing, as this would have been per-
cCepublevby the feel of the dredwe rope:

1The writer wishes to take occasion to acknowledge the great aid he has:

enjoyed in his work by constant reference to the many excellent figures im
»

Alexander Agassiz’ “Shree Cruises of the ‘Blake,’

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. yy

Among the Hydrocorallina were several very beautiful
forms originally described by Count Pourtales. P/obothrus
symmetricus Pourtales was dredged from a depth of one hun-
dred fathoms. Agassiz says that it was found by the “ Porcu-
pine” north of the British Islands at a depth of six hundred fath-
oms. Lstichopora sp. is another form which assumes a flabel-
late outline and is often as symmetrical as the last. Many speci-
mens of this latter were of a beautiful deep salmon, or even
red, color, and still retain an exquisite flush. Our specimens
have the calicles placed in furrows which run along the edges
of the fronds between two small ridges. The front and back
are ornamented by peculiar swollen nodules. Another spe-
cies, which I take to be A//opora miniacea Pourtales, grows in
foliaceous masses of considerable size. There was another
specimen, apparently of a separate species.

Several kinds of anemones were secured, some from con-
siderable depths. We were only partially successful in pre-
serving these beautiful, but untractable, forms. Repeated
attempts at narcotizing them with tobacco and alcohol met
with very indifferent success, and the several methods of
injecting with hot chemicals were no better in their results.
Even those that came out comparatively well had lost all the
glory of their brilliant colors long before they reached Iowa.

Owing to causes already referred to, we were unable to do
any satisfactory work in surface collecting while the vessel
was at sea, and this probably accounts for the almost com-
plete absence of medusz and Siphonophores from our collec-
tion. On one occasion, however, while hauling in the dredge
from a considerable depth, we noticed a long string of pel-
lucid, club-shaped bodies wound around the iron dredge-rope.
On attempting to disentangle them from the rope we received
severe stings from the nematocysts with which the creature
was armed. ‘This we took to be Plerophysa grandis Fewkes,
a Siphonophore which was caught in the same way by the
“Blake.” We estimated that the entire colony must have
been twenty-five or thirty feet long. The appendages were

eight to twelve inches apart. In the alcoholic specimen the

178 NatTurAL History BULLETIN.

central cord is so shrunken and twisted that the “ tasters” are
usually less than one-half inch apart. Other sets of append-
ages are doubtless tactile organs and reproductive persons.
The anterior end of the colony is furnished with a float con-
taining a bubble of oil or gas. A microscopic investigation
showed that the nematocysts are after the pattern found in
the Portuguese man-o’-war, being almost globular and having
the thread coiled in a regular spiral. ~The thread-cells in the
Pterophysa were considerably larger, apparently, than those
of the Physalza. Their sting seemed to be felt more quickly,
but the pain did not last so long. It was also noticed that
they could not effect the palms of the hands, but were quite
severe when applied to the opposing lateral surfaces of the
fingers, or back of the hand.

A rich harvest of hydroids was secured here, twenty-three
species, many of them new, or otherwise of special interest,
being noted in the collection.'. Indeed nearly half of these
species are apparently new, a fact which will indicate the real
importance of this part of our work.

Flalecium jfilicula Allman was secured at depths of from
fifty-six to two hundred fathoms, and two new species were
added to this genus. One of these was a particularly beauti-
ful form, having the margins of the hydrophores gracefully
reflected, and showing the mysterious circles of brilliant dots
like necklaces of jewels, an ornamentation as beautiful as it
is inexplicable. Another new species of this genus is. still
more striking, having very large cylindrical hydrophores
with numerous margins which are abruptly rolled outward
and have very brilliant “necklaces.” The hydranths are
unusually large and capable of great expansion. An elegant
new form of branching Campanularian, probably an Ode/ia,
has very thin, glassy, sub-conical hydrothecw, the upper parts
of which are thrown into longitudinal folds or pleatings, which,

1The author wishes to note the very faithful work of Professor S.
Stookey and Miss Margaret Williams in attending to the Hydroida during
the cruise. The really superb collections of these forms are due largely

to their painstaking care and perseverance.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 179
with the deeply serrate margins, impart a particularly ornate
appearance. The genera //ebe/la, Cryptolaria and Grammaria
were each represented by new forms.

The SERTULARID.£ was but poorly represented, their being
only two species, Sertalarella gaya Var. robusta Allman, and
S. distans Allman.t The PLumMuLARID@, however, came up
in quantities, and constantly elicted exclamations of surprise
and delight at their exquisite grace and beauty. Some were
of monstrous size for this group, reaching a height of two feet
or more. Among the more notable prizes were two species
of Allman’s genus Schizotricha, a genus hitherto unrepresented
in the West Indian region. The name is descriptive of the
fact that the pinne are divided or split into two’branches. |
am inclined to believe that one of these branches is merely a
modified phylactogonium, a specialized branch for the pro-
tection of the reproductive organs. Two species of P/emu-
laria, P. attennuata Allman and P. geminata Allman, were
collected from rather deep water. The beautiful genus
Aglaophenia was represented by three species originally des-
cribed by Allman, .l. apocarpa, A. gracilis and A. rigida.
There has been considerable discussion regarding the validity
of the last two species. They were described originally with
the reproductive portion or gonosome of A. graczi/7s unknown.
Afterward, Dr. J. Walter Fewkes seems to have found the
gonosome of the latter, and considered it the same as that of
A. rigida, and seemed inclined to regard the two species as
identical. Our specimens, however, show the gonosome to
be quite different from that of A. 77evda, the corbula having
about ten pairs of entirely free leaflets with a row of nemato-
phores on both sides of each leaflet. The trophosome has been
compared with specimens in the Museum of Comparative Zodl-
ogy at Cambridge identified by Clarke, and they were found
to agree. A new species of Ag/asphenra secured by us has a
very large and ornate corbula which varies greatly in length
in different specimens. The: leaflets are numerous, twelve

’This name is preoccupied, having been used by both LaMarck and
Lamouroux early in the present century.

18o NATURAL Hisrory BurweEtin.

or more, and are greatty expanded, the front edge of each
extending forward and upward over the one in front, Each
leaflet has a row of nematophores along its free margin, a
strong double process at its base, and a series of distinct nar-
row ridges leading from these nematophores directly toward
the base of each leaflet, giving a remarkably beautiful radiat-
ing style of ornamentation, making this the most ornate cor-
bula in the collection.

Two species of unusual size represent the genus C/adocar-
pus. The first, C. paradisea Allman, is well named. It is
hard to keep from using extravagant language when describ-
ing these surpassingly graceful and striking forms. ‘The other
species was described by Allman under the name Ag/aophenia
sigma from specimens destitute of the gonosome. Our series
shows the gonosome, and demonstrates the fact that it belongs
to Cladocarpus, having the typical gonosome of that genus.
Both of these species attain a height of about two feet.

One of the prizes encountered among the hydroids is a

-species of /dia dredged from shallow water near Key West.
Only one species has hitherto been known which was so
unique that it was made the type of a new family by Allman.
The original form was found near the Philippine Islands and
off Bahia. The characteristic urn-shaped gonangia were well
shown in our specimens. They are among the most beautiful
of all the various structures developed for the protection of
the reproductive zodids among the hydroids.

No attempt has as yet been made to study the deep-water
sponges of the collection, nor can the general zodlogist hope
to do anything with this difficult group.. Judging from the
figures in Professor Alexander Agassiz’ “‘Three Cruises of
the ‘Blake,’” it appears that we secured among others the fol-
lowing species of silicious sponges belonging to the HEXxAc-

“TINELLIDA: Furrea facunda,a species formed of anastomos-

ing cylinders of the most delicate lace-work; APphrocallstes
bocage?, with an equally beautiful network of silicious spicules
forming series of prominences like finger tips; 7Z’s*phonia

fenestrata, which usually assumes a more or less globular

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 181

form, with long, sharp, needle-like spicules radiating from the
surface; Phakellia tenax, a flabellate form strangely resemb-
ling some of the sea-fans, with freely anastomosing branches
covered with projecting bristles or spicules, giving the appear-
ance of a furor felt. The color of this species when fresh is
brown, but this color fades out to a gray after long immer;
sion in alcohol.

This ends our hurried survey of the assemblage of animal
forms secured from the Pourtalés Plateau, and the shallower
water between it and the reefs, a region of surpassing interest
to the naturalist, or to any one else who can be interested in
Nature’s handiwork. This was probably the most profitable
part of our cruise, although there were no such. striking
novelties as the Pentacrini. The collection as a whole was of
greater scientific interest than any secured from other locali-
ties. The amount-of labor involved in bringing up these
thousands of specimens from the sea bottom, and caring for
them after they were secured, was at times calculated to
destroy the enthusiasm of any but the most persistent workers.
But our young men and women labored most faithfully day
after day in the intense heat without complaint, and with
cheerful compliance with every reasonable demand made upon
their energies. The time was emphatically well spent, and
the educational value of constantly handling and observing so
many and varied animal types was incalculable.

CHAPTER -vII-.
HARBOR ISLAND AND SPANISH WELLS.

On Saturday, July 1st, our vessel cleared from Key West
for the port of Harbor Island, Eleuthera, British West Indies,
after having all the water casks refilled with good water
at a cost of one cent per gallon. The customs officials at
Key West were extremely courteous, and facilitated our
affairs so far as the law would permit. We were given a
hint by one of them that would probably have saved us many
a dollar had we been able to act upon it at the proper time.
We were told that a “yachting license” could have been
secured before starting, which would have rendered it unnec-
essary to enter and clear at the various ports at which we
desired to touch, and thus saved a really serious source of
delay and annoyance. We had, indeed, inquired at Baltimore
if there were not some way to simplify matters, but were told
by the brokers that we would have to be treated exactly as
any trading or passenger vessel. Our informant was not an
entirely disinterested party, however, and I should advise any-
one who, in the future, desires to charter a vessel for a pur-
pose similar to ours, to make every effort to find a way
to avoid a part, at least, of the endless red tape, which is
doubtless necessary for the interests of the merchant marine,
but a useless farce for a scientific expedition. As it was, life
was made a burden to some of us while in port by the exac-
tions of the custom-house regulations, which seemed to us to
bear a very close resemblance to the procedure in the “ circum-
locution office,” so well depicted by Dickens.

In the evening we dropped down the channel, but were
becalmed before passing Sand Key Light, and anchored for

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 183

the night. A boat was sent to take off a lot of coral, princi-
pally AZadrepora palmata Linn., which had been left to bleach
about ten days before on a little sand key near the Eastern Dry
Rocks. The storm of the preceding Saturday had raised a
sea, which broke clear over the little islet, and buried most of
the coral under the sand. We found that many of the speci-
mens were uninjured and beautifully bleached. One in par-
ticular was a perfectly symmetrical corallum of J7. pa/mata,
with numerous broad fronds rising in whorls one above
another. This superb but fragile specimen was the prize
cabinet coral of the whole collection, and the object of much
solicitude. We hardly dared hope to succeed in getting it to
lowa City intact, but our care was rewarded by success, and
the specimen is now in the museum, a flawless, symmetrical
type of what is really one of the most beautiful of all West
Indian corals, although the fragments usually exhibited in our
-museums would fail to indicate any grace or beauty. The
“long boat,” as we called the largest ship’s boat, originally
built for the navy, was placed on the deck and braced right
side up on an even keel. It was then filled with the branch-
ing corals, which were thus comparatively safe and in an
excellent place to complete the bleaching process. ‘The plug
was taken out of the boat, and the corals drenched with salt
water several times a day, and then exposed to the full force
of the sun.

On Monday, July 3rd, light head-winds were encountered,
but some progress was made with the aid of the Gulf Stream,
which we were now crossing for the third time. Hada calm
set in, we would doubtless have been carried through the
Florida Straits to the north of the Island of Abaco. Most of
this day was spent in packing that part of the coral which was
fairly well bleached. Several of the largest heads of J/adre-
pora were carefully wound with strands of Italian hemp rope,
so that each branch was fully supported by several others.
The specimens were then crated separately, each being slung
in its crate by ropes so that it could not touch the wood at
any point. This method had the further advantage of furnish-

184 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

ing a certain degree of spring to the support, so that any sud-
den jar to the crate would be greatly lessened before it was
communicated to the coral. The effectiveness of this method
of packing was demonstrated by the excellent condition in
which these large heads arrived at lowa City, after a journey
of about twelve hundred miles by sea and a thousand miles in
a freight car. Such specimens as were not too large we
packed with hay in barrels, using great care and not permit-
ting one specimen to be in contact with another.

While under way, the alcoholic specimens which had been
in the tanks for several days were taken out and placed in the
pans, which were soldered together, as described on page 56.
Two members of the party always attended to this soldering,
at which they soon became quite proficient, and it was sur-
prising to see the amount of material that could be safely dis-
posed of in a couple of hours. The result showed that speci-
mens preserved in this way were even safer than those kept
in alcohol. Should the alcohol be a little too weak, as is
sometimes the case, the specimens are irretrievably ruined.
As a matter of fact, none of the material in the pans was
injured, save a few specimens that were spotted with rust.

During the whole of our cruise the evenings were delight-
ful almost without exception. No matter how hot the day,
there was no discomfort from heat in the evening nor during
the night. The “dog-watch” (from six to-eight P.M.) was
our time for social enjoyment, and then the whole party would
usually be seated on the top of the cabin and on the quarter-
rail, engaged in singing and story-telling. The hard work of
the day made this evening hour all the brighter, and every
one was then good-natured and happy. At such times we
were at peace with the world, and often sat late into the night
in the stern-sheets or on the “lazy-board,” either in quiet con-
versation or in silent communion with the spirit of Old Ocean,
watching the flashing of the phosphorescence in the wake of
the schooner, or listening to the hissing of the waters along
the side. Then each would roll up in his blanket and stretch
out on the cabin top, gazing upward at the moon or watching

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 185

the sweep of the main-gaff between us and the starry heavens,
until we were lulled to sleep by the swinging of the schooner
as she “rocked in the cradle of the deep.” The writer has
been to sea in various craft, but believes that ona sailing ves-
sel alone can the real delights of sea-life be found. What
does a passenger on a modern Atlantic liner know of the
poetry of the world of waters, or of the spirit and moods of
the wind and sky and ocean?

The morning of July 4th, found us at sea, with no land in
sight. As good patriots we decided that the day must be
appropriately celebrated. At breakfast the ladies had a sur-
prise in the shape of pretty souvenir cards with designs in
water-colors, and original verses. Each wore the national
colors, secured by cutting up an old flag, and the steward was
appropriately decorated with a red, white and blue cap.
Coming on deck we found “old glory” at the mast-head, and
‘under it the old gold pennant of the State University of Iowa.
Every gun on the vessel was brought up and the flag and
pennant saluted with a volley each. Cheering was indulged
in “ad libitum,’ and the sweet familiar strains of ‘** America.”
* Star Spangled Banner,” “The Red, White and Blue,” etc.,
brought the tears to many eyes. It may well be doubted
whether a profounder love for country was felt by any Ameri-
can citizens that day than stirred the hearts of the members
of the + Bahama Expedition.” At dinner we were regaled
with the chief remaining luxury on board, i. e., a meat pie
with canned turkey as its main ingredient.

At noon a calm set in, and we experienced some of the
most intense heat met with during our voyage. It only lasted
about two hours, however, after which a light breeze sprung
up, which proved a head-wind, and of course less welcome on
that account.

That night a sudden squall struck the schooner after we
were all asleep on the cabin top. The wind did not seem
particularly violent, but it suddenly ceased altogether, and the
schooner rolled more outrageously than at any other time
during the voyage. The heavy main-boom “slatted” so

186 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

violently that it broke loose and came near doing serious
damage before we again had it under control. Below could
be heard the smashing of crockery and glass-ware. Investi-
gation showed that very little damage had been done, although
we feared the loss of a considerable portion of the jars and
dishes which were stored in racks.

On Wednesday, July 5th, the wind was at last in our favor,
and the schooner was able to hold her course across the
Bahama Banks. The clear light green of the water on the
Banks extending to the horizon on every side, forms a marine
view which is almost unique in its coloring. Again we
noticed the rich purple effects in the clouds which were so
conspicuous when we crossed the Banks the first time. Dr.
L. W. Andrews, of the State University of lowa, suggests
that this effect is to be ascribed to the fact that the sensitive-
ness of the optic nerve to the green color becomes exhausted
by the constant contemplation of the vivid green water, and
that purple, the complement of green, appears in place of the
blue of the sky. If this were true, it would seem that pro-
longed contemplation of green trees and grass would also
make the sky appear purple. The actinic power, however,
of the green reflections from the water is shown by the
fact that such water appears almost white in a photograph.
Stirrup Key Light was sighted in the afternoon, and we once
more anchored on the eastern edge of the Banks.

The next day was spent in beating against a head-wind,
the west side of Abaco being made about noon, after which a
long tack to the southward occupied the rest of the day until
we sighted the lights of Nassau, N. P., when we came about
on the other tack for the remainder of the night. Many of
the party would have been glad to visit the city of Nassau,
which is the metropolis of the British West Indies, but our
time was getting short, and we were not on a pleasure excur-
sion. The comparative idleness of the last two or three days
had made the young men so frisky that more than the usual
amount of skylarking was indulged in that night, including an
impromptu concert, that was not greatly appreciated by those
who desired to sleep.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 187

Early in the morning of Friday, July 7th, our old friend
Ege Island was sighted. The wind was still ahead, and it
took us nearly all day to beat along the coast of Eleuthera to
Harbor Island. When opposite the town of Spanish Wells, a
small boat came out with a pilot, who proved to be an old
acquaintance of mine having been my boatman and general
factotum in 1888. He agreed to pilot us into Harbor Island.
A little boy of perhaps eight years, his nephew, had come out
with him in the sail-boat, and it was with no little surprise
that we heard Philip, the pilot, order the little fellow to take
the boat back to the port, some ten miles away. No wonder
the Bahamans make skillful boatmen, when little boys who
would, with us, scarcely be out of the kindergarten, are com-
petent to handle a sail-boat with judgment and confidence.

The entrance to the harbor at Harbor Island is about as
forbidding a looking channel as we saw during our trip. At

-one place there seemed barely room for the vessel to pass

between the great masses of black rocks, where the tide was
rushing like a mill-race. The vessel got through about sun-
set, and her passengers were just congratulating themselves
on getting into harbor all right, when the schooner went hard
and fast aground on a sand-bar inside the harbor. Although
getting aground is always a serious matter with a vessel the
size of the “Emily E. Johnson,” it would have been hard to
select a better place than the one where she rested that night,
the keel being supported throughout its length on fine coral
sand. Captain Flowers was naturally exasperated at the pilot
for his inexcusable blunder, but did not fly into a passion, as
most skippers would have done, so that our admiration for
him was increased, if possible, by the incident. It was flood
tide again at 2 A. M., but the schooner did not budge, and
there was nothing to be done but occupy ourselves in collect-
ing until the high tide in the afternoon.

The bottom of the harbor was dotted with magnificent
specimens of Pentaceros reticulatus Linck, perhaps the most
conspicuous of American star-fishes. A large number of
these were brought on board, and a class organized under the

188 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

leadership of Professor Arey for the study of the anatomy of
these huge Echinoderms. In spite of its apparent rigidity,
this star-fish is able to turn its rays over its back until the tips
of opposite rays meet above the disk.

Others of the party took boats and went collecting around
the rocks on either side of the harbor entrance, where they
secured quite a quantity of mollusks and gorgonians, some of
the latter being afterward killed with the polyps nicely ex-
panded, by plunging the whole colony into hot, but not boiling
water.

As might have been expected, the morning light revealed
the white sails of numerous boats, all speeding toward the
“Kmily E. Johnson.” It is safe to say that the occupants of
every one of them would not have been greatly disappointed
at an entire failure to get the schooner off the sand. From
the earliest times, a wreck has been regarded as a special
““God-send” by the natives of the West India Islands, and they
can hardly be blamed for looking at the matter in that light.
They are almost without exception poor men who have a hard
struggle for their daily bread. A wreck often means com-
parative affluence to a whole community, and men in more
favored countries are frequently only too glad to profit by the
misfortunes of others, and are often willing to bring disaster
upon others just as truly and criminally as the man who runs
a vessel on the rock. Most of the littie boats that gathered
around the schooner had something to sell in the shape of
fruits or vegetables. Their occupants were nearly all negroes
of the regular Bahama type, great talkers with any amount
of time to spare, and no fools when it came to bartering.

In the forenoon a number of us went to the town of Harbor
Island to attend to various items of business. The island itself
lies north and south a little way from the main island of Eleu-
thera, and is about three miles long by half a mile wide. On
the east a range of high sand-hills separates the town from the
sea, which here breaks upon a beautiful sand-beach said to be
the finest in the Bahamas. ‘The west side of the island is low
and much of it wooded. Here the town proper faces the

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 189:

harbor, and presents an unusually picturesque view. Some
of the finest cocoanut palms that we saw in the West Indies
are found here. The quaint old houses, white like the coral
rock streets over which wheeled vehicles or horses seldom
pass, seem plunged in a perpetual sleep. At one time this
was one of the most important West Indian ports, but now the
pine-apple trade has largely departed to the east coast of
fleuthera, and with it has gone the main industry of Harbor
Island. At the time of my former visit, a canning factory for
putting up pine-apples was in full blast, but the “ pine” season
was over now, and the inhabitants did not seem to be very
actively engaged in anything in particular, except in showing
a friendly interest in the crowd of young Americans that had
so suddenly and unexpectedly dropped down among them.
The town of Harbor Island is considered one of the most
healthful spots in the West Indies The drainage is excellent,
and the people look as if they lived better than most of the
Bahamans. A path leads from the town over the hills to the
beach on the east side, where there are a number of “wells,”
that is, holes dug in the sand at the bottom of which is water
rising and falling with the tides. The native women do most
of their washing here, beating the clothes with a sort of pad-
dle, and managing to get them beautifully clean in the process.
A great deal of water for household purposes is carried over
the hill in buckets and small tubs on the heads of the women.
Even the poorest houses are scrupulously clean, the floors
being white with frequent scouring. | was told that the floors.
are often scrubbed with the skin of a species of Balrstes or file-
fish, which is covered with closely set spines, giving it the feel
of sand-paper.
creeting
the stranger with a smile and pleasant word, and offering him

The people seem to be almost universally polite,

their best if he enters the door. Not only the houses, but their
clothes and persons are clean. Their garments may be scant
and tattered, but the meanest negro of them all would feel
disgraced if he or his clothes were anything but clean.

The magistrate who dispenses justice to this and neighbor-

gO NATURAL History BULLETIN.

ing communities, Mr. Solomon, is an old man now, having
served his queen for over a quarter of a century, and is a
type of the old-time English gentleman worthily discharg-
ing his not unimportant duties, and held in respect by the
whole community, and in wholesome fear by the evil-doer.
He made our official business with him a pleasure instead of
a disagreeable task. Some of us were allowed to inspect the
jail, which, as is usual, was guiltless of prisoners, and contained
nothing more terrible than some clothes which malefactors
are compelled to wear. The place had an air of habitual
desertion that was an index of the law abiding character of
the people.

There are two churches in Harbor Island, one, the largest,
being Methodist and the other Episcopalian, these two being
the only denominations which have obtained any considerable
foot-hold in the Bahamas. On the island of San Salvador, or
“Cat Island” as it is more generally called, I once attended
service in an Episcopalian Church where the preacher, chor-
isters, and ‘entire congregation with the exception of the
visitors, were negroes of the purest African type. As to the
morals of these negroes, from the information obtained by
me—whether reliable or nct I can not say—it appears that
they are intensely religious, but as a writer once said concern-
ing them, “they are not ¢zmora/, but wnmoral,” a distinction
that is often not made, but is nevertheless a fundamental one.

The United States agent, Mr. Monroe, was exceedingly
attentive and courteous during our stay, entertaining a number
of our party in a very delightful manner, and giving a good
deal of interesting information about the place. From another
source and upon a previous visit to these Islands, I heard of
an instance of the working of our diplomatic service in obscure
places that was, and for aught I know is yet, a disgrace to the
United States Government. At that time the United States
had an alleged representative at a place called “‘The Cove”
on the other side of Eleuthera, who kept a low doggery in
the town, and was so illiterate that he was unable to make
out his official papers. An entirely amicable arrangement

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. IQI

was understood to exist between this man and the British
representative, whereby the latter made out all the official
papers of the American * Consul,” who reciprocated by supply-
ing whatever liquor was needed for the personal consumption
of Her Majesty’s representative. This story I believe to be
true, having seen and conversed with the parties interested.
The American representative was certainly as ignorant and
degraded in appearance as any man that I encountered in the
West Indies. The idea that such a person should have power
over the liberty and property of American citizens who traded
in that port to the extent of scores of thousands of dollars
annually, was enough to disgust any one who knew of the
situation. The writer has seen a good many of the repre-
sentatives of our government in out-of-the-way places, and is
of the opinion that they are usually a poor reliance in case of
difficulty, as the policy of the government is to pay them so
little that they are obliged to engage in some other pursuit,
thus compelling them to have a personal business interest in
keeping on the good side of the authorities where they reside.
It is, of course, out of the question for an American to secure
justice under such circumstances, if justice conflicts with the
wishes of the local government.

At 1:30 p. M. the schooner floated off the sand-bank and
was brought up opposite the town, greatly to our relief, and

the rest of the day was spent in visiting our friends ashore

oO
5
and securing fresh fish and fruit. [It was with. no little delight
that we found a goodly number of watermelons, which were
a decided treat under the circumstances.

Early the next morning we started with a new pilot for
Spanish Wells. which we had obtained permission to visit,
although it is not a port of entry. We took what is known
as the “inside passage,” a narrow and winding channel be-
tween the rugged coast of Eleuthera and the line of reefs, a
passage well calculated to make the skipper and his passen-
gers hold their breath. The water was, as usual around
these islands, wonderfully clear, making the dangers all the
more apparent, and revealing the ugly black heads of rocks

192 Naturat History BULLETIN.

appearing on every side, as the schooner doubled and turned
in her course under the skillful guidance of the pilot, who
seemed to be perfectly self-possessed and confident, although
a single false turn of the wheel might have ended the cruise
and the schooner. At times it seemed that there would
hardly be room for the vessel to pass between the rocks, and
at others we were apparently rushing right on to the sunken
masses, which turned out to be many feet below the surface.

Had we been less nervous about the vessel, this run would
have been a most enchanting one. The crystal clearness of
the water made it possible to see the wonderful “‘sea-gardens”’
over which we were passing,—gardens of waving plume-like
gorgonians, and patches of anemones rivaling the brightest
flowers in their conspicuous coloring. Great heads of coral
seemed to glide by or under us, and so clear was the sea that
they.appeared just beneath the surface. Out to the right
were the patches of barrier reef, while beyond them, the
intense blue of the deep water added its pure and white-
flecked beauty to.a superb marine view. On the left the
coast of Eleuthera, one of the largest of the Bahama group.
Was at times within a stone’s throw of the schooner. At first
the coast was low, but later it became more rocky. A short
distance inland the country was rugged with limestone hills.
Wwater-worn at times into fantastic shapes. On the face of one
of these cliffs a hole could be seen, which we afterward found
to be the mouth of a cave. At the water’s edge the lime-

stone head-lands were being undermined throughout their

extent, the material thus broken up being carried along the
shore and built up into the sand beaches that gleamed daz-
zling white in many a sheltered cove. Finally a ruggeder
headland than any yet seen came into view, and disclosed in
profile the outline which gives it its name of * Ridley’s Head.”
Rounding this, the palm-embowered village of Spanish Wells,
with its white beach and pretty harbor where all the boats
were drawn up or at anchor in Sabbath repose, was wel-
comed as the last station at which we intended to spend any
considerable time.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 193

The town of Spanish Wells is on the first of a chain of
islands which border the mainland of Eleuthera on the north,
and extend to Egg Island on the west. The island itself is
probably not more than a quarter of a mile broad, but ex-
tends two or three miles east and west. There are no hills,
the greatest elevation being not over fifteen or twenty feet
above high water. On the north side a beautiful sand-beach
runs almost if not quite the length of the island. Here one
can see the process of converting coral sand into rock in
almost every stage from the loose sand to the hard limestone
rock. For a considerable distance the sea is undermining
some high banks of partially solidified sand. The entire
island is made up of this sand and rock. On the south a nar-
row channel divides this island from Eleuthera, and affords an
excellent refuge for small boats. The harbor itself is east of
the island, being protected on the east by a high point of
Eleuthera. The channel to the harbor is very narrow, and at
the time of our visit was partly blockaded by a wrecked brig,
which was allowed to remain directly in the centre of the
channel. Here, as elsewhere in the Bahamas, the largest
trees are the cocoanut palms, which line the beach on the
north and form quite a respectable grove to the west of the
town. This grove is noticeable from the fact that most of the
trees lean to the east or north-east, a reminder of a hurricane
that swept over the island some years ago.

The town itself consists of a number of houses, set down
with almost no regard to the points of the compass, and
jumbled together in what appears to be the most hap-hazard
confusion. ‘They are mostly frame houses, as square as a box,
with low, pyramidal roofs. Very few of the windows were
glazed, most of them being without sashes, but protected by
heavy storm-shutters. The house itself is almost always
raised about two feet above the ground on low posts. Back
of each residence is the oven, a sub-conical structure, about
eight feet high, and whitewashed on the outside. There is a
good-sized church, built of coral rock, where a devout con-
gregation assembles to worship after the manner of John

194 NaTuRAL History But.LeETIN.

Wesley, and hard by is the cemetery, a desolate enough look-
ing enclosure, where the irregularly disposed mounds of coral
sand, surmounted by white head-boards, are unrelieved by
any sign of grass or turf, although some shrubbery with bril-
liant scarlet blossoms gives a touch of beauty. Upon inspec-
tion, one sees that the graves are fairly riddled with holes
made by land-crabs, and can hardly repress a shudder at the
repulsive thought of these ugly, crawling scavengers, whose
presence attests the fate of the bodies entrusted to this ceme-
tery. After all, however, this is no more repulsive than the
accompaniments of all civilized burial. Perhaps, indeed, less
so, in that the process is more rapid here than elsewhere.

But the thing which impresses the stranger as the most
peculiar about this interesting town is that it has no streets in
the part where the houses are most thickly aggregated,
although there is a wide and tolerably straight path leading
from the western part of the village toward the west end of
the island. A little reflection will show us, however, that
streets are entirely superfluous in a town which is wethout a
single wheeled vehicle of any kind. In its early history this
community, like others in the West Indies, was liable to hos-
tile incursions from piratical crews, and this may account for
the manner in which the houses are huddled together, when
there would appear to be abundant room to spread out com-
fortably. It looks for all the world like a covey of quail
bunched together in fear of the dogs.

It was the privilege of the writer to spend some months.
in this unique Community during a previous visit to the Baha-
mas, and thus to obtain something more than a superficial
knowledge of the life of these people. I speak advisedly in
using the word “unique,” for here is a community of some five
or six hundred souls, nearly all of them white and descendants
of Englishmen, which seems to me to be more isolated from
the world than any other community of like character and
size that can be found. Here are adult men, speaking the
English language with a maltreatment of the h’s equal to
that of the most approved London cockney, some of whom,

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NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 195

if 1 am informed correctly, have never seen a horse or a cow or
a wheeled vehicle; whose personal knowledge of the Mammalia
is confined to man, pigs, dogs, cats, and rats; to whom not
only the locomotive, electric light, telegraph. and phonograph
are matters of hearsay, but also the threshing machine, self-
binder, and even the common plough. Here are people who
never saw a river, mountain, two-story house, or field of
grain, and, until recently, were guiltless of a practical knowl-
edge of a pane of glass, a lamp, or an iron stove.

It is hard to imagine the effect of such a life upon naturally
intelligent people, but intercourse with them will show strange
and unexpected glimpses of the results of this environment.
For instance, | remember that while talking to a bright young
man, who was head scholar and assistant teacher in the school,
we got onto the subject of panthers. He seemed to have
a good idea of the size, agility, and ferocity of this animal,
but upon being asked for a more particularized description,
replied that he thought it was (ke a large lizard! Now. asa
matter of fact, the largest wild animal that this youth had ever
seen was the iguana, a large lizard, and his mental picture of
the panther was simply a greatly exaggerated and_ particu-
larly ferocious lizard, a perfectly natural result of his circum-
scribed experiences.

Physically, many of the men are up to the average in most
respects, except in an appearance which would indicate an
insufficiency of food. They are tall, well-formed, straight-
limbed, with bright, kindly faces, indicative of a clean moral
and physical habit. but ‘their youth departs altogether too
soon, and a really well-fed man or woman is a rarity. They
have enough to eat to satisfy hunger, probably, but they
appear as if physiologically starved for all that; and no wonder!
Except in the pine-apple season they have very little fruit
indeed. ‘Their principal vegetables are yams and a scant sup-
ply of bananas and plantains. The flour that they have is
poor in quality, and they can afford to buy but little of that.
Fresh meat is rarely obtained, and then usually in the shape
of green turtle. Salt beef and pork they greatly prize, but do

196 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

not alwayshave. Fish are plentiful in the surrounding waters,
but no one seems to make a business of securing them for
general consumption, and even when a good catch is made,
they will attempt to sell them. A sort of soup or chowder is
made of the * conch,” S/vombus givas, but the meat is exceed-
ingly tough and about as savory as India rubber. Land-crabs
are caught in a hap-hazard, spasmodic way, as are the spiny
lobsters, which they call “‘craw-fish.” Milk and butter are
only occasionally obtained by the sick. Eggs are bought and
sold singly, and are so small that one seldom sees enough
at any one time to satisfy a man with a reasonably good appe-
tite. The only things that can be regarded as staple articles
of diet are yams, flour and conchs, the other edibles men-
tioned above being more properly ranked as luxuries and
dainties.

Our good doctor was regarded as a special Providence by
these people, and faithfully ministered to them and their little
ones during our stay at Spanish Wells. She studied these
people with some care, and came to the conclusion that the
women and girls were in worse condition than the men and
boys, not receiving the benefit of the out-door life enjoyed by
the latter. Most of the sick children and infants were suffer-
ing greatly from lack of proper nourishment. but she also
noticed so many cases of malformation and monstrosities of
various sorts, that another cause seemed at work. This, she
thinks, is found in the almost unbelievable extent to which the
people of the settlkement have intermarried. In her own
words: ‘As an explanation of this we would give the con-
stant intermarriage of near relatives, which has a tendency
not only to deteriorate the family by diminishing fertility, but
reaches the inevitable result of ill-balanced offspring. A very
good illustration of this degeneracy came under my observa-
tion. Among the twenty or more patients treated, I have
but three surnames on my case-book. With the exception
of two, all were of the same name. This family have lived
here generation after generation, marrying and intermarrying
until there is not a family on the island with more than two

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 197

or three living children, and many of these are ill-formed,
delicate, rachitic, or scrofulous. The girls told sad stories of
their sufferings, and the married women of protracted and
painful maternity. The young ladies were trained to the
idea that it was a hazardous undertaking to marry any young
man not a native of this particular island. In this village I
met three little “midgets,” all women and cousins, but of
what degree I am unable to say, as they seemed to have little
idea of degrees of relationship. The smallest of these is a
woman thirty-four years old, twenty-seven inches high, and
weighs forty-five pounds. A male dwarf that we saw in
Key West is a cousin of these Spanish Wells midgets, mak-
ing four in one family.”!

In spite of all these drawbacks, the citizens of Spanish Weils
are by no means an unhappy people. Indeed as I look back
to my residence among them, they seem to have found con-
_ siderable enjoyment in life. The young men and women
were as light-hearted as the most fortunate of their cousins
across the water. They have their social gatherings and
games. I well remember being an interested spectator one
moonlight night, when they assembled down on the pure
white coral beach and played the old-fashioned “kissing
games” to the tune of * King William was King George’s
son, and he the royal race did run,” each verse ending up in a
manner which was evidently much to the satisfaction of the
parties immediately concerned. The Spanish Wells young
folks are celebrated throughout the islands for their excellent
singing. The grand old hymns of John Wesley are sung by
the sabbath congregation with a volume and swing that is
refreshing to hear after much of the emasculated congrega-
tional singing in the North. The time is perfect and the parts
well sustained, and there is a quaintness in the lining out of
the leader, followed by the ready volume of response that
makes the coral structure fairly quiver. One evening the
school-teacher brought his pupils on board the schooner to

‘Dr. Leora Johnson.

198 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

sing for us, and we never heard children sing with more vim
and fidelity to tune and meter. They sang “God Save the
Queen” and “ Ring the Bell for Little Nell,” and several old-
fashioned rounds in excellent style, and there was more sing-
ing to the cubic inch of child than we would have deemed
possible. Then the young men and women came aboard and
showed the fruitage of such training in a delightful extempor-
ized concert, and won our hearty applause as they made the
shores of Eleuthera resound with the grand and quaint melo-
dies of “‘Somebody’s Dyin’ Every Day” and “The Old-Time
Religion is Good Enough for Me,” anda score of other favor-
ites brought over a century or more ago from Old England.
These young people were perfectly willing to admit the
superiority of their vocalistic powers, and one of them con-
tided to me with perfectly serious conviction that he “reck-
oned” that he “was about the best bass singer in the world.”
And so he was, in /#zs world, and that person would be heart-
less indeed who would impair such naive confidence.

These people are intensely religious, and take more com-

fort in their religion, which is of the strictest Wesleyan type,
than do most people. It has a reality and vitality that I have
seldom seen elsewhere. Immorality is exceedingly rare, and
the graver social sins appear to be almost inconceivable to
most of them. Their shortcomings are more of the nature of
peccadillos, and such crimes as serious theft, burglary, arson,
or murder are probably as nearly unknown as anywhere else
on the globe.

The advent of a schooner-load of young folks from un-
heard of “Iowa” was an event from which to date lesser
happenings for a decade to come. They were self-contained,
however, and did not divulge their opinion of us. Perhaps
that was best. One of the leading men of the place, an old
acquaintance, informed me that he had gone so far as to tell
the folks that there were “‘some good people even among the
Americans.” The most important occupation engaged in by
the Spanish Wells men is the culture of the *‘ pine,” or pine-
apple as we call it. It seems that many years ago the Queen

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 199

gave to this colony a certain amount of land on the mainland
of Eleuthera to hold in common. Each person could claim
as much land as he cultivated, and keep possession so long as
the land was under cultivation. This system of land tenure,
although it would seem almost ideal, was, as a matter of fact,
about the most unsatisfactory that could have been devised,
and gave rise to innumerable quarrels and lawsuits. The
main point of difficulty was the definition of terms used in
the grant. Some indolent or tricky individuals claimed that
land once held by them remained theirs so long as even a
single banana stalk or pine “tree” was growing on it, while
others claimed that all of the area must be in bona fide culti-

vation before the terms of the grant could be held as com-

plied with. And so this quarrel has become a traditional one,
and is a pregnant source of strife among the colonists. When
one comes to look at their “farms,” his chief wonder is what
- there is to quarrel over. There is not a spot on the whole
plantation where a plow could be run for a single yard. The
whole surface is not only rocky, but is solid coral rock, with
here and there a little accumulation of earth in the hollows.
Wherever a little soil has lodged, a pine-cutting is set. In
spite of the hopeless appearance of things to a man from the
Iowa prairies, they do manage to raise considerable quan-
tities of pine-apples on just such land as this. Most of the
fruit is bought by Baltimore firms and shipped to Baltimore or
Key West to be canned. The amount of money realized by
an individual worker in the Spanish Wells plantation must be
pitiably small. Indeed Iimagine that not many of these men
see more than twenty-five dollars in cash ina year. So far
as I know, the school-master receives the highest regular sal-
ary of any one on the island. His pay is fifty pounds, or two
hundred and fifty dollars per year, and with this he lives
better, and dresses better, and supports a family in better
style than most of his fellows even in fortunate America. In
spite of their poverty, the people are almost without excep-
tion thoroughly self-respecting, God-fearing and honest, and
among them are some of the best types of sterling Christian
manhood that I have ever known.

200 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

Our main object in going to Spanish Wells was to give
ihe students a-further opportunity to study the wealth of ani-
mal life about a typical coral reef. It will be remembered
that at the Dry Tortugas we were unable to study the outer
face of the reef on account of its exposure to the swell, which
would have been dangerous to small boats. Moreover, most
of the Madrepores had been killed by unusually low tides.
My previous experience at Spanish Wells had shown what
could be seen of the reefs there, and given confidence that a
visit by our students would be of great educational value.
About a mile to the west and a little north of the entrance to
the harbor, is a rocky mass Known as “Pier Rock,” and
around this the water is shallow, although the rock itself has
been excavated at the water-line into various shelves and
crannies and cool retreats suitable for occupancy by a great
variety of marine forms, especially gorgonians, mollusks, sea-
anemones and tube-dwelling worms. Although we did not
expect to find any great zodlogical rarities, we did expect, and
rightly, that there would here be excellent opportunity to
study a number of these animals at home in their appropriate
surroundings.

About a mile to the north of Spanish Wells is a patch of

growing most luxuriantly and protected

genuine coral reef
from the wind during a greater part of the time, so that it can
be visited safely by small boats, in which one can cruise along
the outer face of this reef and study the ever enchanting forms
of life in a leisurely and satisfactory manner.

Both men and boats were very cheap at Spanish Wells, and
we found it better to employ the natives with their sail-boats
than to use our own, and thus secured a greater degree of real
comfort in our work than at any other station. We had long
since discovered that the romance of puiling at the ponderous
oars of a ship’s boat was terminated by the first real experi-
ence, and were more than ready to employ the native sail-
boats and their owners, who are all skillful boatmen, thoroughly
acquainted with the surrounding coast and reef.

I doubt if anything else during our voyage was enjoyed by

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 201

the students more than these trips to the outer reefs. With
the aid of the “ water-glass,” which is nothing more nor less
than a glass-bottomed bucket, every detail of the sub-marine
scene could be discerned almost as clearly as if one were look-
ing into air rather than water, so exquisitely transparent is
the sea around these islands. The bottom of the water-glass
is sunk just a little beneath the surface, the bucket being
held right side up. All the ripples are thus destroyed, with
their attendant confusing reflections, and every object is as
sharply defined as in the upper air. The scene thus revealed
is one of such surpassing beauty that a poet, rather than a nat-
uralist, should undertake its description. Great heads of
massive coral rise almost to the surface, covered with living
and expanded polyps. Miniature trees in the form of branch-
ing madrepores, with fantastically spreading fronds, often
appear attached to the coral heads. Here and there patches
of sandy bottom reveal clumps of yellow and red sea-fans,
graceful sea-feathers and

5
sea-whips wave their flexible branches in answer to the gentle

nestling in sheltered nooks. Long,

undulations of the water. Old masses of coral rock, carved
into fantastic similitude of castle and arch and grotto by the
action of waves and a host of rock-boring animals, are the
homes of innumerable animal and vegetable forms, draped
with the fronds of alge until they resemble some great rock-
ery overgrown with ferns. In and out of these caverns, and
through the silent groves of madrepores and sea-fans, glide
troops of strangely shaped and _ brilliantly colored tropical
fishes. Surely Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like
one of these! The most vivid reds, yellows and blues in
sharpest contrasts of bands and stripes and blotches, reveal
the very abandonment with which Nature lavishes adorn-
ment on her finny tribes. In sheltered nooks, between coral
masses, the anemones fairly revel in gorgeous mimicry of daisy
and dandelion, pink and aster and chrysanthemum, of the
upper world. In this strange realm even the worms take
shapes of grace and loveliness, rivaling the anemones in the
beauty of their flower-like whorls of tentacles. In this water-

202 NATURAL: History BULLETIN.

world, as in that above, forms of beauty are strangely mingled
with repulsive and uncanny shapes. ‘The cavities of the coral
fairly bristle with the cruel black spines of sea-urchins ( Dza-
dema setosum ),—spines seven inches long and sharp as needles.
Great spiny lobsters creep among the roots of the gorgonians,
and repulsive sea-spiders lurk in the recesses and among the
alge.

Another more prosaic but still good collecting ground was
a flat bar which lay between the anchorage and the mainland
of Eleuthera to the east, and was nearly bare at low tide.
This proved a good place for mollusks, especially Penna.
Here also were great quantities of sea-urchins, particularly
flipponoe esculenta A. Ag. The mainland of Eleuthera itself
proved an excellent collecting ground for the entomologists
and botanists. The ornithologists found that the birds were
much the same as those collected at Egg Island. On one
occasion a party visited a cave some distance from the shore,
securing a number of interesting bats.

The islanders themselves were good collectors, and we
availed ourselves of the opportunity to buy a number of the
more showy specimens, such as the king and queen conchs,
and nicely prepared specimens of Pevstaceros reticulatus which
these natives know how to preserve in excellent shape for cab-
inet specimens. The most enterprising dealers were from
the Current, a few miles to the west of Spanish Wells, and
they carried on a brisk trade with our party, succeeding
in selling pretty much all they brought to the schooner. We
found them sharp at bargaining, and they could apparently
spare any amount of time ina transaction involving only a few
shillings. We soon ran out of change, and were forced
to abandon further negotiations, as it took but a short time to
use up all the silver and copper that we could secure from
store-keepers in the village.

The collection drawn from these various sources grew to
be quite an imposing one before we left this locality, and the
deck of the schooner was usually piled high with a miscel-
Janeous mass of zo5logical and botanical specimens.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 203

The only mammals collected during the whole cruise were
some specimens of J/acrotus waterhousti Gray secured by Mr.
Wickham in a cave on the island of Eleuthera. - This is one
of the “leaf-nosed” bats belonging to the family MEGADER-
MATID. The ears are enormous, their bases meeting at the
top of the head, and having conspicuous tragi. A fleshy
appendage projects upward from the nose, resembling the
horn of a rhinoceros in front view. The tail projects slightly
beyond the interfemoral membrane, which is supported by a
very long calcar or accessory ossicle. The dental formula is
Oi, C- sie +. The animal is about the size of our A/alapha
noveboracensis, or perhaps a little smaller.

The following list of the birds of Eleuthera is made up
partly from species secured at this time, and partly from a
collection made by the writer at the same place in the sum-
mer of 1888:

Larus atricdla Linn., laughing gull; Gelochelidon nilotica
‘(Hasselq.). gull-billed tern; Sterna maxima Bodd., royal
tern; Sterna antillarum (Less.), least tern; Serna anethetus
Scop., bridled tern; Anous stolitus (Linn.), noddy; Pufinus
audubont Finsch, Audubon’s shearwater; Phaethon flavirostris
Brandt, yellow-billed tropic bird; /regata aguila (Linn.),
man-o’-war bird; Ardez virescens Linn., green heron; /Vycéz-
corax violaceus (Linn.), yellow-crowned night heron; .#g7a-
fitis wilsonra (Ord.), Wilson’s plover; Columbigallina passerina
(Linn.), ground dove; Sfeotylo cunicularia floridana Ridgw..,
Florida burrowing owl; Sérzx flammea pratincola Cory, Ba-
hama barn owl; Chordeiles virginianus minor (Cab.), Cuban
night-hawk; Loxzeilla violacea bahamensts Ridgw., Bahama
grosbeak; Tyrannus dominicensis (Gmel.), grey king-bird;
Feuetheia bicolor ( Linn ), grass quit; Certhrola bahamensis Reich.,
Bahama honey-creeper; and J/imus gundlacht Cab., Bahama
mocking-bird. It will be noticed that of the nine land-birds
enumerated above, only two, the ground dove and burrowing
owl, are North American, the remainder being purely West
Indian. Perhaps the most conspicuous bird of them all, and
certainly the most attractive, is the Bahama mocking-bird,

204 NatTuRAL History BULLETIN.

which has an exceedingly rich and mellow song. It is seldom
molested, and individual birds habitually sing at a certain time
of day from some favorite perch, pouring out a perfect flood
of melody, evidently much to the delight of the performer.
So far as I have ascertained, the natives do not cage any of
these birds, although the children sometimes capture and play
with the young.

A few frogs and lizards are found on the island, the latter
being very abundant and known as chameleons. Some of
them have a bladder-like contrivance under or at the side of
the neck, which they expand into a bright red, globular infla-
tion. This may serve to attract insects, as any bit of color is
known to do, and thus be an example of alluring coloration.

Only a few species of fish were secured, most of them
being purchased from the native fishermen. Among the food-
fishes may be mentioned a Scomber, which is locally known
as the “jack-fish,” but seems different from the jack-fish of
the North, and a species of Palrstes or file-fish. Another
species which I have been unable to identify, has two very
heavy and broad incisors in each jaw, no lips, the incisors
being almost entirely bare and exposed, very large cycloid
scales, and a low dorsal which is entire and without spines.
Captain Flowers, while fishing from the schooner, caught a
large jew-fish, Sv¢ereoleprs sp., which was probably the heav-
iest true bony fish that we secured during the voyage. It
proved excellent eating. We noticed that the scales were
carefully saved by the native who cleaned the fish. He said
that they were highly prized for working into the beautiful
shell-work baskets for which the Spanish Wells people are
noted. Another large fish caught in the harbor was the bar-
racuda, Sphyre@na sp. On this and other occasions, the writer
has found it excellent eating, in spite of the belief on the part
of the natives, and even some sailors, that it is poisonous. I am
strongly of the opinion that this is a baseless slur cast upon
the reputation of an excellent food-fish. Several species of a
finely marked moray, J/urena melanotis Gthr., were secured
here. The ground color is black, dotted with linear light yel-

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 205

low markings. The teeth are sharp as needles, one or two
particularly long ones being planted in the roof of the mouth.
They are said to inflict an ugly wound, and appear quite
capable of it. This fish is eel-shaped, and will defend itself
savagely when an attempt is made to capture it. A large
porcupine-fish, odon hystrix L., was bought from a, fisher-
man. It is armed all over with very strong spines, and can
inflate itself into an almost perfectly spherical ball. We found
it no easy matter to skin this animal, but finally succeeded in
removing the body through the mouth, thus securing a skin
without a cut. A relative of the porcupine-fish was found in
the ‘“swell-toad,” Zetrodon spengleri Bloch, a species that
we had already encountered at the Tortugas. Another sin-
gular form is the remora, /cheners naucrates L., that has a
series of suckers on the top of the head which open and shut
like the slats of a window-blind. ‘They serve to attach the
fish to the body of a shark or other large animal, and thus the
‘remora gets free transportation, and at the same time is always
on hand to pick up the crumbs from the shark’s table. It is.
said that some of the orientals use this animal for fishing pur-
poses, tying a line around it and letting it go forth to fasten
itself upon the quarry, after which both captor and captive
are hauled in by theline. A very small specimen of the black
fish that we secured on the Bahama Banks, which I described
as a Ceratias (7) (page 49) is included in the collection from
Spanish Wells. Since writing the former description, how-
ever, the specimen has been examined by Professor Samuel
Garman, of [larvard, who pronounces it probably a melanotic
specimen of Antennarius tigris Poey. It is now in his hands
for description. A form which I am unable to even approxi-
mately locate with the literature at hand is a small species,
with the ¢

=)

united so as to form a sucking disk, and the body covered

eneral facies of a Zoarces, but with the ventral fins

with large cycloid scales.

We found the edible fish abundant and cheap at Spanish
Wells, and were glad to have our table supplied with this
excellent food by the native fishermen, who seemed to have
no trouble in furnishing all that we could dispose of.

206 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

«*More insects were obtained in the vicinity of Harbor
Island and Spanish Wells than at any other point on the voy-
age, and as many are of interest, either because of their size,
bright colors, habits, or distribution, they are accorded a little
more space. ‘The ants have been kindly identified by Mr.
Pergande, of Washington, and we mention the following as
being conspicuous: Syrachymyrmex heert Forel (var. obscu-
yior), a little species which was extremely common on the
bushes and continually fell in the beating net; Dorymyrmex
pyramicus Rog., a long-legged ant of rather small size, com-
mon in like situations on both islands; and Pseudomyrma flav-
¢dula Smith, a long, yellow ant with a wide head and a black
spot on each side of the abdomen. The remainder of the
Hymenoptera were examined by Mr. Ashmead, who furnished
the names of the entire collection. The succeeding seem
worthy of note: In the ANDRENIDA a new /Voma and a
specimen of Agapostemon femoralis Gueér.; in the BEMBECID&
the beautiful JZonedula srenata Linn., with its contrasting
black and yellow markings. The Larrip# were repre-
sented by Sé7zus hogardi Latr., a large, reddish wasp which
was noticed carrying away a cicada at least twice its own size.
Of the SpHEcipa we got Pelopeus fasciatus Lap.; of the
Vespipz Polistes minor Beauv. and P. americanus Fabr., the
latter building its paper nests in the bushes on both islands.
Polybia cubensis Sauss. was also found here. Several other
things in this order were obtained, but space forbids further
mention at present.

“Of Lepidoptera the most striking species was a beautiful
moth found not uncommonly about the sapodilla trees. The
primaries are black with numerous white spots and a large
red mark at base, the thorax black with white dots, while the
abdomen is of a velvety blue above, banded with black and
white beneath. A large Avebus was often seen flying in the
evening, while during the day it was to be noticed in caves.
Probably in this diurnal habit of concealment in such places is
to be found an explanation of the way stragglers have of
entering houses in the United States.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 207

‘«‘ Asilid flies are not uncommon on the islands, and Muscids
and TABANID4 were common enough, though little attention
was given their capture. The Coleoptera, as usual, received
the lion’s share of notice, and in this order some very nice
things were obtained. Cvrcindela marginata Fabr. was not
rare along the white sandv beaches, but the ‘sun was too fer-
vent to encourage a great deal of chasing after these agile
creatures. We took a Scares like a small specimen of swéd-
terraneus Fabr., also Plochionus pallens Fabr., as representa-
tives of the Carapipas. The little red lady-bird, Coccznella
sanguinea L., was found here, as at almost every other point
in the West Indian region at which collecting was done. At
night the lights of a species of Pyrophorus could be seen
flashing in every direction through the groves of cocoa-palms,
and after many an awkward tumble, taken by running across
unfamiliar ground in the dark, it was considered easier and
more productive to depend on the native children for a supply
of these fire-flies. they catching them at night and bringing
them to the vessel for sale next day. A fine Buprestid
( Gyascutus carolinensis Horn) was found on bushes close to
the sea. The Longhorns were quite a noticeable feature
here, the most common, and at the same time beautiful, one
being £Jateropsis rugosus Gahan, the females of which have the
head, thorax and elytra ornamented with broad white stripes,
while the males are uniform black above. An /Ourza was
found which seems to be /. duzva/iz Chevrolat, described from
Cuba, and a nice Elaphidion occurred with it. The weevils,
of course, are comparatively numerous in species. Pachneus
opalus was common, a fine Otiorhynchid near Larynotus was
taken rarely at Harbor Island, and on Eleuthera we found a
few specimens of a beautiful form of a reddish-chestnut color,
the whole upper surface being overlaid with stripes and spots
of greenish scales. The small Curculionids were not wanting.

“The Hemiptera were numerous and conspicuous. <A
large Cicada is not uncommon, and is known by the natives
under the name of “singer” or ‘old witch.” Zeus longipes
Linn. is a pretty Heteropteron banded above with black and

208 Naturat History BULLETIN.

red. It frequents bushes where it feeds on insects. Sphic-
tyrlus whiter Guér. is red and bronze-green above, but when
flying the former color alone shows. — It is found in the same
situations as the preceding species, but no notes were made
of its feeding habits.

‘‘None of the few Orthoptera secured are yet identified,
One large species belongs to the Acridiida and is over two.
inches in length. Another is a Mantis, which, as it was seen
in various stages, evidently breeds here. Of crickets a little
Tridactylus or ailied form was found in a well, and a large
brownish species of undetermined genus is found in the caves
among the loose rocks on the floors or in crannies far back
from the entrance. The antenne are immensely elongate.
Cockroaches were seen in some numbers.

“The papery nests of two colonies of white ants were seen
by the party on Eleuthera Island. One of these was built on
a horizontally projecting branch of a small tree a short dis-
tance from the ground; the other was built directly on the
ground and was of such girth as to render its packing for
transportation impracticable.”

We were confined at this station, as at the Dry Tortugas,
to shore and shallow-water collecting of marine forms. One
of the most striking facts brought out by a survey of the
Crustacea from this region is that the littoral and shallow-
water species are in a majority of cases identical with those
found’ .on the other*sidé of the Gulf Stream® atyihe mm,
Tortugas. Out of about eighteen species collected at Harbor
Island and Spanish Wells. twelve are identical with species
from the Tortugas, leaving only one-third the number as.
peculiar to Eleuthera. This is quite different from the result
of a comparison between the deeper water forms from Havana
on the one hand, and the Pourtalés Plateau on the other. Out
of the thirty-odd species from the Pourtalés Plateau, only three,
or perhaps four, were found at Havana. Out of the seven
found at Havana, only two were found on the Pourtales
Plateau proper, one being a shallow-water form. We thus.
see that there is a much closer relation between the littoral

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 209

crustacean faune on the two sides of the Gulf Stream than
exists between the faune at a depth of eighty to two hun-
dred and fifty fathoms. Our series of forms is not sufficiently
large to justify dogmatic generalizations, but they are never-
theless significant, being borne out, moreover, by a comparison
of series of invertebrates belonging to other groups. The
Dry Tortugas are about three hundred and eighty miles from
Spanish Wells, while the Pourtales Plateau is only about
eighty miles from Havana. The Gulf Stream interposes the
same barrier in both cases. Without discussing the question
of a previous land connection, it seems that there must be
some method by which Crustacea and other groups of inverte-
brates are distributed in a manner practically independent
of the current or depth of the Gulf Stream. Many crus-
tacean larve are pelagic, and are probably transported long
distances by the more superficial currents. A larva starting
at the Tortugas during the prevalence of northerly winds
would perhaps be borne across the Gulf Stream before the
Bahamas were passed. Whether the eggs have any con-
siderable power to withstand dessication or not I do not know,
but if they have, it seems likely that they would often be
transported on the feet of water-birds.

All of the six crustaceans that we found near Eleuthera
which have not hitherto been mentioned, are brachyuran crabs.
E-pialtus bituberculatus M. E. is represented by a minute speci-
men with a very broad rostrum ending in two blunt points.
Acanthonyx petivertt M. E. has the distal portion of each of
the walking legs expanded into a lamella which apposes the
hook-like dactylopodite so that a pseudochela is formed for
prehension. The carapace suddenly narrows back of the eyes,
and a number of hair-like cirrhi are borne above the rostrum
and in bristle-like bunches on the inner sides of the chele.
The rostrum itself is produced forward into a pair of flattened
and expanded teeth. J/7/hrax spinosissimus ( Lamk.) is a very
large, dark red spider-crab, with a spread of legs of twenty-
one inches, and is characterized by having a row of smooth
round knobs on the upper edge of the hand. The carapace

5 (0) NATURAL History BULLETIN.

is orbicular, six inches in diameter, and covered with blunt
spines, those on the margin being much the largest, and the
anterior marginal spines are bifid. The tips of the walking
legs are black. Ayriphia gonagra (Fabr.) has a_ broad,
rounded carapace, with an antero-lateral row of sharp, re-
curved spines. The hand and carpus are covered with very
peculiar, smooth, shining, round nodules arranged: in longitu-
dinal series.. The chela are bright crimson in color, and the
right finger bears a large truncated prominence on the basal
part of its cutting edge. One of the most beautiful crusta-
ceans in the entire collection is a specimen of Plagusia depressa
Say. The carapace is orbicular and covered with nodules
interspersed with round, bead-like granules. The anterior
part is strangely shaped, having a projecting lip or ridge pas-
sing under the eyes and antenne, and showing deep clefts
above for the recesses into which the antenna are folded.
The superior surface of the carapace is mottled with crimson
and grayish pink, and that of the chele and walking legs is
marked with broad, longitudinal bands of the same color.
The chele are especially gorgeous in their ornamentation,
which consists of rows of nodules and the crimson stripes men-
tioned above. ‘The ventral surface is, as usual, without bright
markings. Carpilius corallinus (Ubst.) is a very large.
bright-red crab, with perfectly smooth, rounded carapace and
massive chele. The fingers are jet black.

The land-crabs are very abundant on the island, and appear
to belong to three or four species. There is the small and
ever present Geocarcinus lateralis (Prem.) ,with its bright red
and yellow coloring. It was especially abundant in’ the cave
where the “leaf-nosed” bats were secured. Next we have
Cardiosoma gsuanhumi (Latr.), the common large edible
species of a grayish color, and with no bright markings. In
addition to these are what appear to be two other. species
which the writer secured during his former visit to Eleuthera.
Both are about as large as C’. ouanhumz. One is of a deep
rich wine-color, with two.round, light yellow spots near the
posterior margin of the carapace. The other is green in color,

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. ZT

and has the branchial region covered above with well differ-
entiated swollen lobes of the carapace marked longitudinally
with furrows and lines resembling the midrib and veins of a
lanceolate leaf. The anterior part of the rostrum between
the eyes is much narrower than in C. guanhum?, and the car-
pus and meros of the cheliped are ornamented with prominent
rows of spines at the angles. ‘These crabs furnish a no insig-
nificant portion of the food of the natives, who hunt them at
night with torches. So completely terrestrial are they, that
they can easily be drowned in water. Another crustacean
that enters into the dietary of the Bahamans is the spiny lob-
ster, Palinurius longrmanus ?,a truly gorgeous creature terrible
to look at because of its bristling spines, but like many another
with appalling mien, entirely harmless, being devoid even of
the claws so common among its fellows.

A large series of Mollusca was secured in the vicinity of
Spanish Wells, embracing most of the more familiar West
Indian species. Here again we find considerable resemblance
to the fauna of the Dry Tortugas. The following list in-
cludes not only the forms collected by this expedition, but
also those secured in 1888. While there is no claim to exacti-
tude in the determinations, such as would attend the work of
a specialist in this group, it is hoped that the list as a whole

c

will serve to show the character of the collection, and the
general relationship of the forms, together with some hints of
value concerning the geographical distribution of the species
mentioned. Cephalopoda: Sfrrula perontt Lam., a small
species less than an inch in diameter, with the whorls not
in contact with each other. Gastropoda: Sétrombus gigas
Linn., AZurex sp. (near AZ. pomum.): This is the largest
Murex found. Triton chiorostomus Lam., Fascvolaria L1eai-
tea Kiener, /. tulépfa Linn., /. trapezium; Purpura haema-
stoma Linn., Columbella mercatoria Linn., a pretty species
ornamented with rows of square brown spots; Cyphoma gib-
bosa Linn., Cassis cameo Stimp., a species highly prized as
specimens for the cabinet and called the ‘queen conch” by
the natives; Doliun perdix Linn., Oliva reticular’s Lam., a

212 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

very abundant species; Conus mus (7?) Hwass; Conus sp. ?;
Cyprea exanthema Linn., Trivia qguadripunctata Gray; /Vat-
ica afinis Gmel.; Obdelsscus sp. ? resembling O. sulcatus, a
Pacific and Red Sea species; Cerzthium sp., strikingly orna-
mented with longitudinal rows of round black dots; Lettorzna
scabra Linn., £. zeczac Chemn., a very abundant form; Zec-
tarius muricatus Linn.; 7. nodulosus Gmel., abundant; Archz-
tectonica granulata Lam.; Werita peloronta Linn.; V. tessel-
lata Say; Astralium longispina Lam.; Trochus jugubinus Linn.;
Livonia pica Linn.; Fissurella nodosa Born; /. sp. ¢; Amar-
_ginula sp. ?; Crepidula fornicata Linn.; Chiton sp. 7; Bulla
occidens A. Ad.; flemitrochus varians, a common striped land-
snail abundant on bushes near Spanish Wells; S/rophia tncana
Binney. Leamellibranchiata: Pholas sp. ¢;.Thracia plicata
Desh.; Zellina alternata Say; T. rastellum Yanley; Lucina
jamaicensts Lam.; £. divaricata Linn.; L. tigertna Linn.; Car-
dium muricatum Linn.; Levicardium serratum Linn.; Arca
noe Linn.; A. drausversa Say; A. donaciformis Reeve; JTytilus
sp. ?; Penna muricata Linn.; Aleleagrina margaritifera Linn.;
and Pecten trradians Lam.

The Bahamans utilize many of these shells in the beautiful
shell-work for which thev are justly famous. Baskets and
breastpins, ear-rings, brooches and pendants are designed and
executed with good taste and excellent workmanship. As
before indicated, the scales of certain fishes, e. g., the jew-fish,
are worked in with good effect as petals of artificial flowers,
which are often brightly colored. A very pretty ornament is
made by decorating a large star-fish, Pe/acervos, with a sym-
metrical design in shell-work.

Coming to the Echinodermata, we again find a number
of the species met with at the Tortugas. Pevtaceros reticula-
‘us Linck is the most abundant and conspicuous star-fish.
A species of Astropecten is common in the shoal water be-
tween the reefs and the island. Lazdia clathrata Litken
was found a little farther out on the flats. This creature is
most disheartening to the collector, from its reprehensible
tendency to fly all to pieces when not satisfied with its treat-

M. F. LINDER, DEL.

Specimens from Spanish Wells.

Fig.1. DrapeMa sETosuM (Gray), showing natural disposition of spines.
Fig.2. IsopHyrLria pipsacEa. Dana.

Fig. 2a. Nematocyst, showing coiled thread.

Fig. 26. Nematocyst, showing thread partly extruded.

Fig. 2c. Nematocyst, showing thread entirely extruded,

Fig. 2¢. End of thread, showing barb.

te re Php cates
a
= eer 7% TRY
ta none “Sab cet
at Leena

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 213

ment. I have watched them dismember in a large glass ves-
sel, when there appeared to be no rational incentive whatever
for such conduct. The Opniuritp were for some reason
almost entirely overlooked in our work at this place, Ophiura
cinerea Lyman being the only species saved.

The coral rock out on the reef was fairly riddled with
holes made by the black sea-urchin, Diadema setosum Gray,
portions of the old decomposing coral heads presenting a
honey-combed appearance after the urchins have been re-
moved. When occupying these retreats, the animals have the
spines all directed outward in a great bunch, making a defen-
sive armature that would certainly prove effective against
almost any foe. How these animals, with their exceedingly
brittle and slender spines and unusually thin, fragile tests,
manage to make these excavations is something of a mystery.
It may be noted, however, that the teeth of Dzadema setosum

"are very strong, and the jaws capable of much more extensive

protrusion from the test than in most other species. These
teeth can be extended at least an inch beyond the corona, and
seem to me to be the means by which the borings are made.
flipponoe esculenta A. Ag.is found in countless numbers on
the sand-flat east of the island on which Spanish Wells is
located. This beautifully white species is an excellent one
upon which to observe the “righting movements” and other
experiments described by Romanes in his very suggestive
work on *Jelly-Fish, Star-Fish and Sea-Urchins.” Some of
the experiments made during my previous visit are perhaps of
sufficient interest to note in this connection. These animals
remove their excrement, which is in the shape of hard, rounded
bodies and is ejected from the apical region, by means of a
combined wriggling of the spines and pedicellariz. Some of
these balls were dipped in acetic acid and then placed on the
apex of the test. There ensued a violent motion on the part
of the spines and pedicellariz, and the irritating substance was
quickly passed on lines radiating from the apex along the
ambulacral areas and dropped from the equatorial region of
the test. It appeared, therefore, that these organs worked in

214 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

coérdination to pass the offending objects away from the test.
In order to show whether this action was entirely automatic
or partook of the element of choice, the following experiment
was tried. An animal was placed with the actinal pole
against the side of a large glass vessel, to which the ambu-
lacral feet soon adhered. In this position a portion of the
equator was uppermost. The balls treated with acid were
then placed as exactly as possible upon the equator. They
were promptly rolled off in the direction opposite the normal
one, that.is, toward the apical system. ~ This seemed a clear
indication that choice was exercised in deciding the direction
of removal. If the action of the spines and pedicellariz had
been purely automatic, they would have removed the objects
in the customary direction. This would have brought the
irritating substance in contact with the numerous sensitive am-
bulacral feet, which were adhering to the glass on the actinal
side. The conclusion that volition was involved was further
strengthened by placing non-irritating balls in the same position,
when they were worked off in both directions indifferently.

Another experiment was tried te determine whether there
was any rudiment of memory to be discovered in the sea-
urchins. Placing a specimen on the table, a lighted match
was held near the test. The heat caused the animal to move
away from the match. After it had progressed some distance.
another lighted match was held on the side opposite the one
originally irritated. The animal at first retreated directly
away from the second match, but upon approaching the place
where it had been burned by the first match, it /¢red and took
« course at right angles to a line drawn between the two sources
of danger! The first match was no longer burning, of course,
and we may reasonably surmise that the animal changed its
course upon remembering its former experience. The other
experiments were substantially the same as those tried by
Romanes.!

1<«TVelly-Fish, Star-Fish and Sea-Urchins,” page 301 et seq. The student
will be well repaid should he find time for the perusal of this entire work,

one of the most suggestive of the many contributions to science made by

Professor Romanes.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 215

Among the cceelenterates a great quantity of gorgonians
were secured, most of which have not yet been identified.
Among them were Breareum asbestinum Pall., a heavy. fleshy
species of a pink or purplish color, and without a horny axis
cylinder. This is a good form to study, as the polyps are
large and will expand freely in aquaria. Plexaurella dichotoma
is very common, with thick, fleshy branches covered with slit-
like apertures, and having the calicles included, and a well
marked axis cylinder. Hunicea tourneforti M. Edw. has thick
branches and exserted calicles. The spicules of this gorgonian
are among the most beautiful of objects under the microscope.
being unusually large and brilliantly colored with pink and
red and purple. Awnicea tourneforti M. Edw. is flabellate in
form, very dark in color, and has non-retractile polyps. The
spicules are very large and massive, without coloration. The
most beautiful of the gorgonians is /ehiprdzgorgia flabellum
.Linn., the familiar “sea-fan.” The red variety sometimes
grows to a height of four feet, while the yellow specimens are
usually much smaller, seldom, if ever, attaining a height of
eighteen inches. \7phigorgia anceps M. E. is also common,
with long branches resembling grass-like leaves of purple and
yellow. The polyps are arranged in linear series.

The reef corals at Spanish Wells were practically the same
as those found at the Tortugas, but several species were
more abundant, notably JZadrepora prolifera Lam., of which
we secured a splendid series; J/\cedium fragile Dana was
found here and not at the Tortugas. /sophyllia dipsacea Ag.
is interesting from the fact that it has enormous nematocysts
and affords, when alive, an excellent opportunity to study these
remarkable organs. The nettling cells are found in the ten-
tacles which surround the mouth of the polyp. It is hard to
determine just what kind of stimulus will cause the threads to
be projected. The writer has found that the tentacles may
be touched with a needle or buffeted by the squirmings of a
small worm without effect. On the other hand, he has seen
scores of them set off without any known cause. A careful
study makes it evident that the threads are thrown out by

216 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

a partial eversion. The point or barb seems to have a rotary
motion when passing across the field of the microscope
although this may be an optical delusion. A number of
actinians were secured here, and one hydroid, a beautiful new

Pennaria.

CHAPTER VIII.
LITTLE CAT ISLAND AND HOMEWARD BOUND.

On the morning of July 13th, the boats were sent to collect
the gorgonians and madrepores that had been left on the
beach to dry, and returned loaded to the gunwales with a
magnificent collection of sea-fans, yellow and red, gorgonians
of a score of species, and J/adrepora cervicornis or prolifera,
enough to supply good specimens for all the party. These
branching corals required most careful handling, as they are
perhaps as brittle a substance as one could imagine. They
were carefully stowed in the long boat, and the sea-fans and
other gorgonians were tied in large bales and bundles and
stored in the hold. The work of packing the coral was com-
menced at once, and most of the branching madrepores were
safely stowed in barrels, with a packing of coarse grass
brought from Eleuthera several days previously and dried on
deck.

In the afternoon we tried to get the schooner out of the
harbor, but failed on account of adverse winds. The next
day the wind was still unfavorable. The pilot had no desire
to put us aground again, and would not take avoidable risk.
A new species of shark was bought from the natives and
skinned, as well as a fine porcupine-fish, although handling
this exceedingly spiny species was attended with some danger
of rather troublesome wounds. In the afternoon we had a
grand swimming party over the side of the schooner, the last
event of the kind enjoyed during the cruise. Most of our
young men and women could swim by this time, and some
of the former were accomplished divers. Philip, the pilot,
demonstrated his ability to get bottom at a depth of five

218 Naturau History BULLETIN.

fathoms, or thirty feet, and claimed to be able to go a depth
of nine fathoms. We did not have an opportunity to test this
claim, much as we would have been interested in the trial.
Another Bahaman claimed to be able to dive fourteen fathoms,
but upon being pressed for an explanation of this unheard-of
feat, confessed that he meant seven fathoms down and seven
up again! ‘The next morning we tried to get away by taking
the inland passage around Egg Island, but again failed, being
forced to drop anchor near the condemned brig that is
allowed to obstruct the harbor entrance in a most unaccount-
able manner. Thinking to improve the time while waiting
for a favorable breeze, some of us went ashore to see if we
could dig a well and fill the.empty water casks. One only
has to dig three or four feet to strike water here. It is rtue
that the water will rise and fall with the tides, but some-
times it will be so little brackish as to be quite endurable
although not at all palatable. In one place we found that
two “wells” had been dug only a few feet apart. Fresh
water could be drawn from one and salt water from the
other. We had succeded in sinking an old barrel into the
good well, and had nearly filled one of the.casks when we
saw the signal flying from the schooner, which meant that
all hands were wanted on board at once. On reaching the
vessel, we found that the pilot considered the wind favor-
able to get out of the harbor, and the captain decided to try
it without delay.

The passage was a somewhat anxious one, as the jagged
black rocks on every hand were anything but reassuring,
especially as we had to beat our way through the narrow
channel between the reefs and Eleuthera. ‘The passage
through the reefs was off Ridley’s Head. Philip, the pilot,
seemed to understand his business this time, and after an
hour’s anxiety we found blue water once more under the
schooner’s keel, and breathed a sigh of relief at getting out
without accident. The pilot was discharged, and thus we
parted with the last, but by no means the least, of our good
Spanish Wells friends.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 219

The next two days were spent in beating our way against a
head- wind along the east coast of Eleuthera, our object being
to see what could be found by dredging across the shallow
ridge between the northeast end of Eleuthera and Little Cat
Island. The delay was particularly vexatious, as our time
was getting short, and the thoughts of the party were turning
homeward. After ten weeks of the cramped quarters and
necessary discomforts of sea life, it was but natural that the
romance of the situation should bave been pretty well dis-
pelled, and that there should be a longing for the fresh meat
and roomy, clean beds of home. The captain, too, was get-
ting anxious to have his responsibilities come to an end. He
had given up the comfortable cabin, to which he was used, to
make room for the ladies of the party, and he was obliged,
moreover, to put up with many little annoyances and discom-
forts which must at times have severely tried his patience. It
was easy to see that most of the party would have been glad
to find the bowsprit pointed north instead of experiencing this
continual beating against a head-wind, and the monotonous
cry of ‘*Hard-a-lee!” as the vessel came about on another
tack. It seemed best, however, to make the most of our
opportunities, and use the vessel as near the limit of our char-
ter as possible; and so we stuck it out until the desired spot
was finally reached, about 3 o’clock in the afternoon of July
8th, our schooner having sailed along the entire coast of
Eleuthera, a distance of about eighty miles. This island is
exceedingly narrow, averaging only about three miles, and
extends northwest and southeast. About twenty-four miles
east of its southern extremity is the northwest end of «Cat
Island,” as it is known to sailors, although the world at large
calls it by the more euphonious name of San Salvador. The
two main islands are connected by a string of rocky islets, the
westernmost of which is Little San Salvador, or “Little Cat.”
Between this and Eleuthera, a distance of about ten miles,
there is a submarine ridge, rising at one point to within nine
fathoms of the surface, and sinking rapidly to a great depth
on either side. At one place there is a drop from thirteen to
nine hundred fathoms within a mile.

220 NaTuRAL History BULLETIN.

We had come to this locality for the purpose of dredging
over this submarine ridge, feeling confident from the general
lay of the land and currents that an exploration carried on
here would not be fruitless. We also intended to send a party
of botanists, ornithologists, and entomologists to work on Lit-
tle Cat Island. This latter plan was frustrated, however, by
a piece of carelessness on the part of the mate, who lost his
bearings during the night, and worked the vessel so far to lee-
ward of the island that we could not afford to beat up to it
again.

We found the dredging here exceedingly difficult, owing to
the rocky nature of the ridge. We did not dare use anything
but the tangles, and they were constantly getting fouled, and
endangering our gear. We made three hauls in the after-
noon of the day upon which we arrived at that locality, and
seven the next day. The bottom must have been of the
roughest possible description, and was probably covered with
massive corals interspersed with the branching forms, J///lepora
and gorgonians. The tangles wore out here more rapidly
than anywhere else during the voyage, and the strain on the
dredging spar, rope, etc., was such as to render the experi-
ence anything but an agreeable one to those who had in
remembrance the sudden catastrophe while dredging on the
Pourtales Plateau.

The collection secured here was peculiar from the fact that
it did not embrace a single crustacean. Hardly a haul of the
dredge or tangles at our other fields of work came up without
at least a few crabs. Practically all the specimens secured
here were either echinoderms or ccelenterates, and nearly all
were serpent-stars or hydroids.

The small but exceedingly interesting series of Opuiur-
ID42 contains several species not met with elsewhere. ‘There
were two species of Ofphiocoma, one of which had the arms
banded, one tentacle-scale, almost circular mouth-shields, and
the disk conspicuously and evenly granulated. The other
was a small species related to O. ethiops Liitken, which is a
Pacific species. Our specimen was black on the dorsal sur-

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 221

face, and very light buffy, almost white, on the lower side.
Arm-spines small, the upper being the longest. Three re-
markably pretty species of Ophrothrix were collected. One
was bluish violet in color, with a disk covered with forked,.
stumpy spines, and a few long, slender, needle-like spines.
This species is beautifully marked, the disk with sharp, radi-
ating lines of purple and white, and the arms with pairs of
pure white lines enclosing bands of deep cobalt blue. Arm-
spines six, the uppermost being the longest. Another Ofp/7-
othr7x was blue, the disk without long spines, but thickly
beset with trifid stumps. This species was ornamented by
transverse series of white blotches between the upper arm-
plates, and round, white blotches on the under arm-plates.
Arm-spines seven, the lowest furnished with hooklets. The
third species of this genus is probably O. seensona Liitken, an
exquisitely beautiful object under a lens of moderate power:
The disk is beset with exceedingly long, glassy spines,
arranged along ten radiating lines, and is of a delicate laven-
der color, with ten sharp, radiating lines of purple running in
pairs from centre to circumference, each pair enclosing a band
of light violet. ‘There are four concentric purple lines run-
ning around near the upper edge of the disk. The lower sur-
face is marked by similar concentric lines of white and purple
alternating. Along the upper side of each arm runs a purple
band between two fine white lines. On the under surface a
similar band extends from the tip of the arms to the mouth.
But the most striking feature of this remarkable form is the
arm-spines, which are the longest of any in the collection,
being nine times as long as the arm-joints. As usual in this
genus, these spines are glassy, with a row of spinelets on each
side. A species of Ophzomyxa, from which the label is lost,
but which is associated with the serpent-stars from this local-
ity, is of a buffy white color, with comparatively long arm-
spines. Several specimens of a species, which can probably
be referred to the genus S7esbeza, were secured at this time,
They were smaller than .S. marrhina of Lyman, or the S7zesbera
mentioned in the account of the Havana collections, page 79,.

222 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

although the specimens from Little Cat Island may be young
individuals. The disk is highly vaulted and covered with
large plates. The radial shields are very large and promi-
nent, and alternating with them are ten series of squarish
plates. Five large radial plates form a pentagonal figure
around the center of the dorsal surface. The mouth-papille
and teeth are quadrate. There is a single minute tentacle-
scale and two arm-spines which are lobate and ctenate on
their edges like the mouth-papille and teeth of Ophzomyxa.
There are large accessory plates extending downward from
the upper arm-plates. The arms roll naturally in a vertical
plane. Color in alcohol buffy; the arms banded with pinkish
brown.

Coming to the true basket-fish, or ASTROPHYTID we find
the only representatives of the genus As¢rocuida in our entire
collection. This genus is of special interest, as it shows one
of the intergrading steps between a simple-armed species, such
as Astrogomphus, and the branched basket-fish of the true
Astrophyton type. ‘The arms in this species, which may be A.
esedis Lyman, are’ branched two or three times near their
ends. One specimen has six and the other seven arms, a very
unusual feature in this group. The mouth-parts are spini-
form; the disk closely beset with rounded nodules which form
raised concentric rings; arms swollen at base and ornamented
with raised transverse ridges of granules which bear micro-
scopic hooks as in Astrogomphus vallatus. A small specimen
of an Astrophyton was found here, of a species represented by
several larger specimens taken from the Bahama Banks early
in the cruise. The species is allied to A. costosum Seba, but
is probably not identical. The color is brighter than in any
other of that genus that I have seen, being a dark pink, which
is relieved on the outer branches and twigs of the arms with
ht buffy, almost white, giving a beaded

bands of very lig
appearance which is highly ornamental. The disk has high
radial shields beset, especially on their outer parts, with very
large stumpy spines in two series, these spines reaching to the
second forking on the arms. There is one madreporic body
situated as in A. costosum.

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 228

Buta single sea-urchin was secured here, an Asprdodiadema,
which does not agree very well with either species described
by Agassiz. The spines are very long and banded regularly
with purple and white. The characteristic sheathed pedicel-
laria are well shown, but differ somewhat from those pre-
viously described. So far as I can ascertain, this genus has
not hitherto been found at a less depth than ninety-five
fathoms.

The comparative meagreness of the collections so far as the
higher forms are concerned, was more than atened for by the
marvelous series of hydroids from the ridge connecting the
two islands. No less than twenty-six species were brought up
in the ten hauls of the tangles, of which eighteen are appar-
ently new. It will thus be seen that this spot is one of
perhaps unprecedented richness in its hydroid fauna. In less
than a single day’s dredging here, we brought up a greater
number of species of this interesting group than rewarded our
week’s work off Havana, where we secured twenty-one
species in sixteen hauls, or on the Pourtales Plateau, where we
secured twenty-three species in forty-three hauls. The pro-
portion of new species was also far in excess of anything found
elsewhere.

The family HALEcID4a was represented by //alecium mac-
rocephalum Allman, characterized by very large hydranths
and small hydrothece, and a new species of //a/eczutm which is
very minute, and was. found ona bit of sea-weed completely
buried in a growth of alga and other matter adherent to the
sea-weed. It had the curious habit of growth by which new
hydrophores sprouted from the old ones just below their
margins. The common Obelia marginata Allman was found
here, and a species of campanularian, for which a new genus
may be necessary unless it can be accommodated in the genus
Calycella of Hincks. Three species of //ebe//a, all apparently
new, complete the list of campanularians. .

Among the SERTULARID# are two new species of Ser/ularia,
one of which resembles the next genus in the fact that the
hydrothece are in pairs and contingent, although they are

224 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

not inserted on the front of the stem. The other Sertularia
is a beautifully ornamented form, the hydrothece being long
and tubular, with close-set thin, but highly elevated ridges
giving a closely annulated appearance to the unusually large
hydrothece. Zhwarza distans Allman, in which each inter-
node of the stem supports three shallow and distant hydro-
thece, and another, probably new, species of the same genus,
in which two pairs of hydrothece are borne on each inter-
node of the stem, were also included. Two species of the
genus Desmoscyphus were found, neither of which can be
placed in any species described in the somewhat full literature
at my disposal. I was greatly interested in finding, while
working over this collection a species which was described
in 1786 by Ellis, one of the very earliest writers on the
hydroids, under the name Sertularia quadridentata, from the
island of Ascension off the African coast. The species is
figured in his * Natural History of many Curious and Uncom-
mon Zodphytes Collected From Various Parts of the World.”
In 1821 Lamouroux, in his ‘Exposition Meéthodique,” des-
cribes the same form under the name Pasythea qguadridentata.
From that time on, this curious genus seems to have been
lost sight of up to the time when we found our specimens.
near Little Cat Island. This interesting species is peculiar in
having the calicles in groups of four. the lower pair being
larger and somewhat different in shape from the upper.

No less than twelve species of PLUMULARID# are included in
the collection made here, and two-thirds of them are probably
undescribed. ‘he genus P/awmularia is represented by two
closely related species, both apparently new. //alopteris
carinata Allman is a very pretty species which has the cup-
shaped hydrothecz surmounted by a pair of fixed lateral
nematophores borne on long processes from the stem. The
name ‘‘carinata” was suggested by the keel that runs down
the anterior face of the hydrothece. The bulkiest hydroid
secured during the whole cruise was a species which is in
some respects allied to //7ppurella; but does not show the
peculiar reproductive contrivances of that genus. The speci-

M. F. LINDER, DEL,

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Specimens from near Little Cat Island.

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Plumularian Hydroid,

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NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 225

men is very massive and bushy, the main stem being over
half an inch in diameter and branching profusely, the whole
colony attaining a height of over two feet- The hydrothecz
are quite small, and the pinne much annulated. One of the
most delicately beautiful of all the Plumularians is a species
allied to Plumularia obligua Sanders, the pinnze of which are
very short and bear but a single conical hydrotheca. There
are four nematophores in the axil of each pinna. One of the
smallest of the PLUMULARID& is Aglaophenia perpusilla All-
man, a species resembling a small feather, but only one
quarter of an inch high. The corbula, hitherto unknown
resembles that of A. perforata Allman.

When Dr. S. F. Clarke reported on the hydroids of the
“Blake,” he found a remarkable form characterized by peculiar
processes at the bases of the pinne, and nematophores of
a new type on the main stem of the colony. This interesting
species was made the type of a new genus and called
Nematophorus grandis Clarke. In our collection from Little
Cat Island are three species of this same genus, one being
the form described by Clarke, and the other two being new.
All three agree in having an unusual amount of very dark

black pigment distributed throughout the colony. The
peculiar protoplasmic processes described by Clarke, as issu-
ing from the nematophores are shown in our specimens to be
the barbed threads of particularly large nematocysts. There
are many points of unusual interest yet to be studied in con-
nection with this very well-marked genus. //alicornaria
speciosa Allman was also secured here, together with two
apparently new species of the same genus which were found
growing on Vematophorus. A large quantity of gorgonians
and millepores came up during our work here, but were
mostly of the species secured at Spanish Wells.

At four p. mM. July 19th, the tangles were hauled on board
for the last time, and the order given to point the schooner’s
jib-boom straight for Baltimore. Notwithstanding all the
pleasure and advantages for study that had been so thoroughly
enjoyed and faithfully embraced, there was no one on board

226 NATURAL Hisrory BUuI.LETIN.

the “Emily E. Johnson” who was not ready to join heartily
in the cheer that went up from her deck as the vessel came
about and sail was set for home. The confined quarters and
restricted cuisine and cabin-top beds had long since been shorn
of their novelty. The work for which we had come had been
accomplished, and we felt that it had been well done. It
was therefore natural that thoughts of home and friends should
once more occupy the imagination, and find vent in an impa-
tience at every lull in the breeze which bore us northward.

The homeward voyage, like the rest of the cruise, had its
full quota of work for all. The collections were to be packed
for shipment from Baltimore to Iowa City, and it was neces-
sary to thoroughly overhaul all the equipment and put it in as
good shape as possible for transportation. Personal effects
were furbished up in anticipation of once more entering into
the round of civilized life. The collection and equipment were
found eventually to necessitate the packing of one hundred
and thirty-one barrels, boxes, crates and other parcels, and the
proper disposition of all this material was a task involving no
little labor. A list was of course kept of the articles packed.
and each parcel carefully marked and checked.

During the homeward voyage the provisions became so
reduced in variety that there was little left save flour, butter.
coffee, tea, and some canned fruits and vegetables. ‘The meat
was almost completely gone before the end of the cruise.
owing largely to the fact that the corned beef and pickled
pork which had been packed in barrels had become tainted
during the prolonged sojourn in a hot climate. We found
that dried apples and peaches kept remarkably well, and so
did rice and beans. The failure of the potatoes caused one
of the most serious deprivations. Of course there was no fish
to be had while we were under way, and the absence, or at
least very scanty supply, of meat was a hardship which would
have been felt more severely had we not been homeward
bound. There was no danger of actual want, however, so
iong as the flour and coffee held out, and we had a super-
abundance of both of these staples. The thing most to be

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. DIAG]

feared was a long calm, which might possibly have caused our
water supply to run short, a danger never lost sight of by
those accustomed to the peculiar conditions surrounding the
navigation of sail vessels, which are, of course. absolutely
dependent upon winds and currents. On this account skip-
pers are always relieved after they have crossed the belt of
calms known as the “Horse Latitudes,” between Lat. 31°
and 33° N. ‘Those who sail in the “fruiters” trading between
the Bahamas and Baltimore have terrible stories to tell of fruit-
laden vessels being caught in these regions by the dreaded
calms, and having to roll week after week on the glassy sur-
face of the ocean, exposed to the pitiless glare of the sun
and, worst of all, the fearful odors of the mass of rotting fruit
in the hold, which must all be thrown overboard if the calm
lasts many days. ‘The stench from this putrid mass must
be unspeakable, if that yielded by only a few rotting * pines ”
can be taken as a sample.

We were wonderfully fortunate throughout our cruise in
the matter of weather. Three months are rarely passed at
sea without encountering at least one really severe storm, and
perhaps several trying calms. We escaped them both, as
nothing like a storm or long calm was met with during the
whole cruise. The squalls on the outward voyage were
some of them rather severe, and for one day we were com-
pelled to lay to, but neither of these amounted to what sailors
would call a storm or a gale. So wonderfully were we favored
in this matter that the captain grew uneasy, feeling that such
a stretch of fine weather was abnormal and almost uncanny.
He was evidently most anxious to get his vessel safely into port,
having an ill-concealed fear that there was something porten-
tous in the meteorological conditions. And he was doubtless
right, as will be acknowledged when we reflect that shortly
after. our return the West Indies and our South Atlantic coast
were visited by a hurricane of appalling force and fury,
attended by the greatest loss of life and shipping that has ever
been experienced in those regions. It seems to be the belief
of sailors that long-continued periods of fair weather are

228 NATURAL Hisrory Bure rin.

“hurricane breeders,” as they call them, although the lands-
man is apt to regard this as one of the ways in which the
sailor keeps up his reputation as a chronic “ growler.”

Another matter in which the party was most fortunate was
the continued good health enjoyed throughout the cruise. Of
course, seasickness was to be expected, and several persons
were always more or less affected when the water was at all
rough. Aside from this, however, there was apparently no
exception to the excellent physical condition of all on board.
Several of the party were materially, and we hope perma-
nently, benefited by the voyage. There was just about
enough real work to keep us well, and the sea air and out-of-
door life agreed admirably with the young people. As a
matter of information for anyone desiring to follow in our
footsteps, it may be of interest to state that the records of the
commissary Committee prove that more food was consumed
each week, after the first, than had been disposed of during
any preceding week. The appetites thus developed were in
most cases good, and in several instances really phenomenal.
Fairly hard work and good appetites, in conjunction with pro-
visions which were wholesome and abundant in the main,
brought the party home in the best of health.

The homeward voyage was uneventful, the wind being
fairly propitious, and no dead calms were experienced. A
few rain-squalls varied the monotony, but the weather was
pleasant as a rule. After the packing was attended to, con-
siderable leisure was at our disposal, and, if the truth must be
told, we were inclined to thoroughly enjoy a season of rest.
A sea life offers the best of opportunities for indolence, and
possibly this constitutes a material element in the charm
which it has for many of us. On July 24th Hatteras Light
was sighted, but the wind failed soon after, and little progress
was made during the night. On the following day, however,
a good breeze sprung up, and the “ Emily E. Johnson” seemed
imbued with our longing to get home as soon as possible, for
she slid through the water at a rate not before attained,
rounding Cape Henry early the next morning. The wind

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 229

lasted to the Baltimore quarantine station, where we spent the
greater part of the night of July 26th, and the next morning
the schooner was taken to one of the B. & O. railroad
wharves, and the voyage was ended.

During the eighty-three days of her absence from Balti-
more, the vessel had sailed just about an even three thousand
miles, counting straight courses, and not the extra distance
actually involved in beating against the wind, and we were
gratified to be able to hand her over to her owners in excel-
lent condition. Nota spar nor sail had been materially dam-
aged, and she had suffered no injury beyond the ordinary and
inevitable wear and tear incident to a three months’ cruise in
tropical waters. The vessel had served her purpose admir-
ably, and we often felt grateful for the good fortune that had
led to her selection. Should a similar expedition be organized
in future, no better vessel could be secured than our old
friend, the ‘Emily E. Johnson.” I wish, also, to bear testi-
mony to the courtesy and fair-mindedness of her chief owner,
Captain C. C. Paul, of Baltimore. Our business dealings
with this gentleman were most pleasant and satisfactory.

We had some trouble in disposing of the ballast, for which
we had paid a good price before leaving, and we were finally
forced to give away the lumber used in fitting the vessel.
The lamps, dishes, kitchen-ware, range, etc., were sold to
Captain Paul and left on the schooner.

Considerable annoyance and delay were experienced in
getting our collections through the custom house. Not a
thing on board was dutiable, but some of the minor officials
were determined that each package should be carted over the
cobble-stones of the Baltimore streets to the public stores and
there opened and examined, a process which would have been
fatal to our splendid collection of corals and caused almost
irreparable damage to much of the other material. The
Chief Appraiser was finally seen and proved to be a gentle-
man able to appreciate the absurdity of such requirements,
and he readily agreed to send an inspector on board to
examine our effects at the railroad dock. This was an

230 NatTurau History Bur LeEtin.

immense relief to us, as we were almost in despair over the
insistence of the minor officials.

This matter having been satisfactorily disposed of, the next
thing was to secure a car and attend to loading it with our
equipment and collections. This was not left to the railroad
men, but every package was handled by members of the
expedition, the car being loaded under the direct superintend-
ence of Messrs. Houser, Larrabee and Powell. The care
exercised in this matter was both demonstrated and rewarded
by the entire absence of breakage or other damage during
the transit of the car to lowa City.

It can scarcely be a matter of surprise to any one who has
read the preceding pages, that it was with a real feeling of
sadness that we left the “Emily E. Johnson,” which had been
our home for so many weeks and the scene of such delightful
experiences; nor is it to be wondered at that a strange mist
gathered in the eyes of more than one of the party when we
bade good-bye to Captain Flowers, who had endeared himself
to all of us and will remain in our estimation the very type
of an honest and manly man and skillful seaman. We felt
that his watchful care had averted many a danger, and that
his mastery of his calling had been, after all, one of the main
reasons for our unvaried success, especially while dredging.

Nor can the leader of the expedition close this narrative
without a word of hearty commendation for the young men
and women who placed their safety and well-being so largely
in his keeping during this novel voyage... That they have
become endeared to him is but the natural result of their
hearty and ready coéperation at all times, and the zeal with
which they carried on the often arduous labors of the cruise.
No work was too trying or too disagreeable for them, and the

fo)

hardest service was always sure of prompt volunteers. It was
with the deepest gratitude that the writer learned that all
returned in health and safety to their homes.

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of this cruise was its
cheapness. The party traveled about five thousand miles, in
round numbers, and lived for three months at a total expense

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 231

of $205.00 for each individual.! The original estimate made in
1891 was $209.00 for each person. Just before reaching Balti-
more it was deemed desirable to make an assessment of $5.00
all around in order to meet some extra expenses at that place.
As a matter of fact, enough remained to give a reunion ban-
quet to the whole party in June, 1894, and still a few dollars
remain in the treasury. In addition to the privileges enjoyed
during the cruise, each member of the party is entitled to a
series of the marine forms collected, after the University has
received the first complete series from each locality visited.
Several individuals have already sold enough of this material to
realize the $200.00 originally expended, so that in these cases
the trip cost nothing at all except the time. I am inclined to
think that this is a record-breaker in the matter of cheapness.

The amount of zodlogical material collected was perhaps
as great as has been secured by any other dredging expedi-
tion in the same length of time, and the number of new forms
shows that its scientific value will ultimately prove to be equal
to that of other much more pretentious cruises. The different
groups are to be worked up by the best specialists that can be
found, and the readiness with which the masters in marine
zoology have undertaken to report on the groups in which
they are most proficient is in itself the best proof of the scien-
tific value of the collection. These reports will appear from
time to time in the “Bulletins from the Laboratories of Nat-
ural History of the State University of lowa.” The following
specialists have undertaken to work up certain portions of the
material as indicated below:

Professor Samuel Garman, of Harvard, the fishes; Mr.
William H. Ashmead, of the National Museum, the Hymen-
optera (excepting the ants); Mr. Theodore Pergande, De-
partment of Agricuiture, Washington, D. C., the ants; Dr.
John B. Smith, Rutgers College, the Lepidoptera; Professor
Herbert Osborn, lowa Agricultural College, the Hemiptera;

1This sum provided for every necessary expense from Iowa City, the
starting point, and return, including a berth in a sleeper and a seat in a
palace car from Chicago to Baltimore, for each.

2 NATURAL History BULLETIN.

23
Dr. George Marx, Department of Agriculture, the spiders,
except the Artipa; Professor George W. Peckham, of Mil-
waukee, the ATripE; Mr. H. F. Wickham, State University of
Iowa, the Coleoptera; Miss Mary J. Rathbun, of the National
Museum, the brachyuran crabs; Mr. James E. Benedict. of
the National Museum, the Anomoura; Professor F. H. Her-
rick, Adelbert @ollese? the Alpher; Dr Wo he alipvotaine
National Museum, the Mollusca; Professor A. E. Verrill, of
Yale College, the star-fish, serpent-stars, and Alcyonaria. ?
The report on the Hydroida will be.embodied in a forthcom-
ing monograph of the American Hvdroids, which is now
being prepared by the writer for publication by the United
States National Museum. Professor W. G. Farlow, of Cam-
bridge, has in hand the collection of marine Algz.

The report on the brachyuran crabs is the farthest advanced,
and Miss Rathbun announces that there are about one hun-
dred and thirty-one species of that group in the collection,
including a number of new forms. Among the hydroids, the
writer has found eighty-eight species, more than half of which
are new, constituting perhaps the largest single collection of
this group that has ever been made in West Indian waters, so
far as the results of the various expeditions are at present
known.?

The educational benefits of this cruise have, it is hoped,
been made sufficiently manifest in the preceding pages; but
these results must not be regarded as limited by the advan-
tages secured by the members of the party. - Far more impor-
tant considerations are the increased facilities for the investi-
gation of marine forms now offered by the State University
to the students of Iowa, and the demonstration of the practi-
cability of accomplishing such results at a cost which is merely

nominal.

1Mr. Benedict will probably work up the Vermes also.

*Professor Verrill may also undertake the Crinoidea.

* will undoubtedly prove to be more

?The collections of the “ Albatross’
extensive than this, and will be included in the monograph referred to

above.

APPENDIX A.

List oF COMMISSARY STORES ACTUALLY USED DURING THE

EXPEDITION.

By GILBERT L. HOUSER.

Sugar cured hams, 350
Canvased bacon, boneless 55

pounds

Canned

ue
oe

“a

string beans,
succotash,
peas,
tomatoes,
peaches, .
apples,
Ghenniesi.
blackberries,
raspberries,
apricots, .
gooseberries,
apple butter,

Corned beef, 200 =“
iced porkou.n ©... | EOO)
Maekencly a. 2 a 2) 15 “«
Boneless codfish,. . . 55 Ji
Canvased dried beef, . 55 “
Canned corned beef, . 168 ut
ub roast beet, @ . 90 :
uw salmon, = = 32 Ke
Oysters, = =: 72
See lobsters. se 24 be
Wy turkey, 6 :

“e tongue, 24

“soups (Huckins’) 36 “*

Wheat flour,
Graham flour, .

6 barrels
75 pounds

White cornmeal, . T5On ec
Oatmeal, 50
Cracked wheat, 45
Rice, Ge), = =
Hominy, . SO
‘Cabbage, . I crate
Potatoes, . 45 bushels
Onions, 7 me
Beets, . : 2 xs
Navy beans, 100 pounds
Dried apples, a5 ea
“peaches; : so

Prunes,
Canned corn,

Marmalade, .
Currant jelly,
Raspberry jelly,
Pickles,
Vinegar, .
Lemons, .
Lime juice, .
Raisins, oe
Condensed milk, .
Lard, :
Canned creamery butter
Cheese,
Eggs, Bee
Ground mustard,
6 black pepper, .
2 cinnamon, .
fe cloves,
‘Table salt,
Granulated sugar,

56 pounds
2 ae
96 “cc
216 :
360 ‘
240 f
96
72 }
48 “c
72
144 +
35 ss
12 at
10 :
10 be

} barrel

15 gallons

2 boxes

3 gallons

20 pounds
5 cases

225 pounds

200 ss
38 a
So dozen

3 pounds

2 “a
I pound
I “a

112 pounds
600 es

234 Naturau History BULLETIN.

.

Csugar,. . . . . . 10 pounds Coffee(roastedX ground) 45 pounds

Mia pletswoaica ee merry > ub Wea: 0 Seen ema eee ut
Baking powder, . . . 32 ub Cocoa, 7 “
Bi-canbwsodaaemec) Gear 1 pound Coalioily as 9 ee 52oaLlons
Dry ycastie. = aac 1 case Matches, . . . 3 doz. boxes, 500
Corn starch, . . . . ‘I5 pounds Soap, 50 cakes ivory; 25 cakes rosin
DRAIOXCH, 5 5 6 5 o 6 15 ss Crackers = 9.5 een 5upounds
Extract Wen On. cman: I pint Rilote breads... ecOS is

UL vuole 9% 5 Th 1 96 Wiehteiesee go g a) pl oo 21 is
CAtsup ence Galle a 6 pints Can-openers, . .. . 3 dozen
Worcestershire sauce, . ena: Toothpicks,. . . 4 doz. packages

Saratoga chips, . . . 12 pounds

DISHES.

Soup plates, 2 dozen Water pitchers, 1 dozen
iDsienee Goo Gy 6 6 of 2 Ws Sugar bowls, A As
IDeRserE Mg 5 sy so 3 BH Castors, me es
(Gityornnee ewes id) Vb Ma on ce 0 Knives, 2 i
Saicens-seee) aaah ee ts a 2 se Dodie, Mag to oaloe a 2 ub
SOW) WAS, 6 6 6 oe a ay Carving knife and fork
Gream= pitchers; > = ys INGEL SDOOMS, 2 2 5 a o 2 be
Vegetable dishes, . . . 1 e ARES, SOM a ete et em. =i Gs
SuGalke joules oo 5 o # us Teapot
Ow) Steen , Aiee Pome ee eee Coffee pot
‘Tumblers, 2 i

(GVAICILIGN, (OAL DEAL.
FeaINCIe yy ea tcyea eee belgie oes wie Coffee boiler
Mealketthew Se ces e a teense eee Silesia eee cee 2
IPOS, Gg o 0 6 oy JOINERS, Geo 6) s oc 3 @ ol 2
Elam-boillens geem eee eee Tiadleus. ©2008. 92 eennee ee tmne
SHhueSpeiN 5 6 o ¢ 5 & of a o Potato-masher
Waffle irons and muffin cups . . Coffee-strainer
ID ertioy OeNMS) wg ok oo a) oO Iron spoons, 2

ash Kniteyamdstraryyuyes ee) een ner Cake-turner
Biscuit board and pin

NARRATIVE OF BAHAMA EXPEDITION. 235

APPENDIX B.

List oF DREDGING AND SHORE Stations, S. U. J. BAHAMA
EXPEDITION, 1893.

I. DREDGING STATIONS.
1. May 17th. Bahama Banks, 3 fathoms.
2, 3,4. May 24th. Off Havana, Morro Castle bearing S.W. by W., about
2% miles. 110 fathoms.
5,6, 7,8. May 25th. Off Havana. Morro Castle bearing S.W. by W.
about 2% miles. 140 fathoms.
8%,9, 10,11. May 26th. Off Havana. Nearly same ground as No. 5.
200 fathoms.
12, 13,15. May 27th. Off Havana. 200 fathoms.
14. May 27th. Off Havana. 260 fathoms.
16. May 29th. Off Havana. Nearly same ground as No. 12.
17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. June 15th. Off Fort Jefferson, Tortugas. 1%
to 8 fathoms.
24, 25. June 19th. Off Key West. Sand Key Light bearing W.N.W..,
Key West Light bearing North. 60 fathoms.
26. June 19th. Nearly same ground as No. 24.
27. Junergth. Sand Key Light bearing N.W. by N. Key West Light
N.% E. 50 to 60 fathoms.
28. June 19th. Sand Key Light bearing N. about 6 miles. 116 fathoms.
29. June 1gth. Near last station.
30, 31. June 20th. Off Key West. Sand Key Light bearing N.N.W.
About 100 fathoms
32. June 20th. Sand Key Light bearing N. by W. about 8 miles. 126
fathoms.
33. June 20th. Sand Key Light bearing N. % W. about 6 miles. About
105 fathoms.
34. June 20th. Sand Key Light bearing N. about 8 miles. About 120
fathoms.
35.. June 21st. Off Key West. Sand Key Light bearing N.N.W. about
5 miles. About go fathoms.
36. June 21st. Bearings about same as No. 35; distance, 7 miles; depth,
about 100 fathoms.
7. June 21st. Bearings as in No. 35; distance, 8 miles; depth, 125 faths.
38. June 21st. Bearings and depth about as in No. 37.
39. June 24th. Off Key West. Sand Key Light bearing W. % N., about
614 miles. 20 fathoms.
40. June 24th. Sand Key Light bearing W. about 8 miles. Depth, 15
fathoms.
41, 42, 43. June 24th. Sand Key Light bearing W. about 8 miles. Depth,
15 fathoms.
44. June 26th. Off Key West, about 1 mile from light. 514 fathoms.
45,46. June 26th. Off Key West, shallow water.

NATURAL HisToryY BULLETIN,

47. June 26th. Key West Light bearing N-W. by N., Sand Key Light
W.by N. About 80 fathoms.
48. June 26th. Key West Light bearing N.W. by N., Sand Key Light W.
by N. % N. About 80 fathoms.
49. June 26th. Sand Key Light bearing W.N.W., American Shoal Light
N.E. 85 to 95 fathoms.
50. June 26th. Sand Key’ Light bearing N.W. by W. ¥% W., about 15
miles. About 120 fathoms.
51. June 27th. American Shoal Light bearing N. by W. 10 miles. Depth
about 100 fathoms.
52. June 27th. American Shoal Light bearing N. by W. % W., about 10
miles. 105 to 110 fathoms. i
53-. June 27th. American Shoal Ligkt bearing N.W. by N. ¥% N., about
10 miles. 110 fathoms.
54. June 27th. Bearings as in No. 53, distance 15 miles. About 130 faths.
55. ‘June 27th. About same ground as No. 54.
56. June 27th. Pourtalés Plateau, 24°16’ N. Lat., 81° 22’ W, Long. Depth
about 200 fathoms.
57. june 27th. 24° 15" N: Lat. 81°18" W. Lone. 200 to 225 fathoms:
58. June 28th.. 24° 19°-N. Lat., 81° 19° W. Long. About same depth, as
INjoe 57:
59. June 28th. 24° 20’ N. Lat., 81° 20’ W. Long. About 130 fathoms.
60. June 28th. 24° 15' N. Lat., 81° 20’ W. Long. About 125 fathoms.
61. June 29th. Key West Light bearing N.W., American Shoal Light N.
E. 75 to 80 fathoms.
62. June 29th. American Shoal Lignt bearing N.E. by N., 8 miles. 70 to
So fathoms.
63. June 29th. American Shoal Light N. by E. % E., about 8 miles. 85
to 95 fathoms.
64. June 29th. American Shoal Light N. by W., about 8 miles. About
110 fathoms.
65. June 29th. American Shoal Light bearing N. by W. % W., 10 miles.
About 115 fathoms.
66. June 30th. Key West Light bearing N., depth, 6 fathoms.
67. June 30th. Off Key West.
68 to 78. July 18th, 19th. Off Little Cat Island, on the submerged bank
connecting it with Eleuthera. 3 to 13 fathoms.
Ike SHORE SiALLONS:
1. Egg Island, Bahamas, May 13th.
2. Water Cay, Bahamas, May 2oth.
3. Havana, Cuba, May 21st to 28th.
4- Bahia Honda, Cuba, June ist to 3rd.
5. Dry Tortugas, Florida, June 7th to 13th.
6. Key West, Florida, June 17th to July rst.
7. Harbor Island, Bahamas, July 8th.
8. Eleuthera, Bahamas, July 9th to 15th.

INDEX.

Abaco Island, 46.
Acanthogorgia, 86.
Acanthomyx petiverii, 209.
Accident on Pourtalés Plateau, 141.
Achelons spinimanus, 1265.
Acridiide, 208.
Actza palmeri, 51.
spetigera, 124.
Actinians at Bahia Honda, 99.
method of killing, 99.
Actinometra near Havana, 76.
Actinopteryx fucicola, 121.
/Egialitis semipalmata, 40.
wilsonia rufinucha, 4o.
Agapostemon femoralis, 206.
Agassiz, Alexander, 2, 169, 173, 180.
introduction of iron rope in
dredging by, 3.
advises dredging on Pourtalés
Plateau, 139.
Agassiz, Louis, 2.
Agave, 43.
at Bahia Honda, go.
Agaricia agaricites, 134.
Aglaophenia, 89, 179.
apocarpa, 179.
gracilis, 179.
lophocarpa, 89.
minuta, 30, 54.
pertorata, 54, 225.
perpusilla, 225.
rhynchocarpa, 89.
1igida, 179.
sigma, 18o.
Aground, 187.
Aid rendered by Alexander Agassiz,
8.

Aid rendered by Capt. J.W. Collins, 8,
Jas. E. Benedict, 8.
Hon. Marshall McDonald, 8.
Alcohol, storage of, 21.
A'coholic specimens, method of
preserving, 56.
“Albatross,” 3.
Alcyonaria, comparison of forms
from deep and shallow water,
87.
near Havana, 85.
of Pourtalés Plateau, 175.
Allopora miniacea Pourtalés, 177.
Alpheus, 52, 126, 160.
heterochelis, 161.
in Ha-

American flag, absence of

>)
vana harbor, 61.

American Shoal light, 139.
Amphiuma, 45.
Amphiura, 45, 170.
Anamathia crassa, 156, 161.
Anasimus latus, 156.
Anchonus, 96.
Anchorage inside the reefs, 144.
‘Andrews, Dr. L. W., 186.
Andros Island, 46.
Andrenide, 206.
Angel-fish, 120.
Anemones, [77.
Annelids, 127.
Anomalot sie furcillatus, 156.
Anomouran crabs, 158.
Anous stolidus, 40, 203.
Antenella gracilis, 88.
Antennarius, 28, 29, 121, 149.
Anthenoides, 166.

piercei, 169.

Antipatharian corals, 176.
Antipathes, 87.
Anthonomus jiilichii, 153.
Ants, 121.
Aphrocallistes bocagei, 180.
Apocynum, 44.
Arachn da, 161.
Arachnopsis filipes, 156.
Arbacea, 83.

punctulata, 98.
Arbaceide, 83.
Arca, donaciformis, 212.

noe, 98.

transversa, 212.

velata, 129.
Architecture of Havana, 63.
Archaster, 53.
Architectonica granulata, 212.
Ardea virescens, 203.
Amey, Prot, MVE To 183:
Argemone mexicana, 44.
Argonauta (argo?), 164.
Artipus, 41, 58.

floridanus, 122, 153.
Asaphis, 98.
Ascorhynchus, 161.

Ashmead, Mr. William H., 206,

Asilid fly, 153, 207.
Aspidodiadema, 83, 223.
Assignment of work, 20.

INDEX.

2

to duty while dredging, 47, 48

Asterias, 168.

volsellata, 168.
Asteriide, 167.
Asterinide, 78.
Asteroidea, 165.
Asthenosoma hystrix, 173.
Astralium, 52, 126.

ceelatum, 158.
Astrocnida,

isidis,io1, 222:
Astrogomphus, 80, 81, 222.

costosum, 222.

vallatus, 81, 172, 222.
Astropecten, 130, 135, 166, 212.
Astropectenida, 130.
Astrophytide, 79, 81, 222.
Astrophyton, 170, 222

5
re)

I.

Astrophyton agassizii, 132.
costosum, 132.
mucronatum, 172.

Attidz, 97.

Attractive coloration, 124.

Aulostoma, 148.

Avicula, 52.
margaritifera, 129.

Awnings, 17.

Axohelia mirabilis, 84.

>

Bahama Banks, 37, 186.

Bahama expedition, assignment

work in, 18.
equipment of, 7.

of

help rendered by the Univer-

sity, 5.
incipiency of, 5.
laboratory of, 7.
ladies admitted to, 5.
management of, 6.
origin of, 4.
personnel of, 19.

requisition for admission to, 17.

Bahama fly catcher, 41.

Bahama Islands, zoGlogical recon-

noisance of, 5.
Bahia Honda, actinians of, 99.
birds of, 95.
botany of, 99.
channel at, 104.
corals of, 98.
difficulties at, 93-95.
insects, 96.
mollusks of, 98.
plants of, 99.

restrictions imposed by officials,

94-

scenery near, 93.
Balistes, 28, 189, 204.
Ballast, 17.
Ballord, Webb, 19, 40.
Baltimore to Egg Island, 20.
Banana, 101.
Barnacles, 161.
Baris chalybea, 96.

quadrimaculata, 96.
Barrett, A. M., 19.

Barynotus, 207.

Basket fish, 78, 132.

Bat fish, 50, 151.
Bathynectes longispina, 158.
Bearing of crinoid ground, 165.
Becalmed in Florida Straits, 138.
Bembidium contractum, 152.
Benacus, 69.

Benedict, James E., 8, 56, 72,
Bermuda Islands, land birds,

2

232.
118.
Berry Islands, 46.
Bibb, 2.
Bill of fare committee, 22.
Bird Key, 109, 113.
Birds along Gulf Stream, 29.

at Dry Tortugas, 118.

of Bahia Honda, 95.

of Egg Island, qo.

of Eleuthera, 203.
Black chelz of crabs, 124.
Black-whiskered vireo, 41.
TB AKewL 3 02, 10K.
Blapstinus opacus, W523.
Boats at Spanish Wells, 200.
Booby gannet, 119.
Botany of Bahia Honda, 99.

of Egg Island, 42.
Brachymyrmex heeri, 206.

155.

122

“ay

Brachyurans, 77, 122,
report on, 232.

Brain of turtles, 105.

Briareum asbestinum, 215.

Bridled tern, 40, 119.

INDEX. 2

Brooks, Prof. W. K., on Alphei, 160.

Brown pelican, 119.
Bungo, 62.

Bunks, 16.

Buprestid, 153, 207.
Butterflies at Havana, 7o.

Cactus, 44.
Cafius, 41.
bistriatus, 121.
Calappa angusta, 158.
marmorata, 125.
Caligorgia gracilis, 175.
Callichorma columbina, 7o.
Calms, 185, 227.

ISS)

Calvin, Prof. S., 6.
Calycella, 223.
Campanularian_hydroids, 30, 53, 178,
Apa.
Camponotus tortuganus, 121.
Cancroidea, 124, 158.
Canned goods, 138.
Canning factory, 137.
Canthon levis, 152.
Canvas covering for dredges, 10.
Cape Henry, 228.
Captain, selection of, 15.
of port, 94.
Carcharhinus glaucus, 145.
Cardiosoma guanhumi, 210.
Cardium isocardium, 129.
muricatum, 212.
“Carey chickens,” 33.
Car, loading of, 230.
Carpillius corallinus, 210.
Caryophyllia, 84.
Cassis cameo, 211.
Cat Island, 219.
Catorama punctulata, 122.
Cenobita diogenes, (26, 158.
Cephalopod, 164, 211.
Ceratias uranoscopus, 49, 205.
Cerithium, 42, 52, 98, 128, 212.
Certhiola bahamensis, 41, 203.
“Challenger,” 2.
reports of, 4, 165.
Channel at Bahia Honda, 104.
off Eleuthera, 218.
Chel, modification of in
crabs, 42.
Chelymorpha (argus?), 153.
Chesapeake Bay, sail down, 22.
Chief appraiser, 229.
Children at Spanish Wells, 197.
Chilocorus cacti, 152.
Chione cingenda, 129, 162.
Chiton, 41, 212.
Chordeiles virginianus minor, 203.
Chrysogorgia, 85.
Chrysogorgide, 85. :
Chrysomelide, 96, 153.
Cicada, 207.
Cicindela marginata, 52, 207.

hermit

240

Cicindela olivacea, 97.
tortuosa, 97, 152.

Cidaride, 173.

Cidaris tribuloides, 132, 173.

Cirrhipathes, 176.

Citizens of Spanish Wells, 197.

Cladocarpus, 89, 180.
dolicotheca, 89.

ClarkeyS.) B.yi1'79:

Clorocoris loxops, 122.

Cocoanuts, 99.

2, 193.

Coccinella sanguinea, 207.

palms,

Coccinellide, 152.
Codling, 148.
Coeelenterates, near Havana, 83.
of Pourtales Plateau, 175.
of Egg Island, 45.
Ceelopleurus floridanus, $3, 173.
Coleoptera of Egg Island, 41.
of Eleuthera, 207.
of Key West, 152.
of Tortugas, 121.
of Water Cay, 58.
Collecting in Gulf Stream, 27.
Colors of dolphin, 146.
of water and clouds, 186.
of crustacea, 124, 158.
Columbella, 128, 162.
mercatoria, 211.
Columbigallina passerina, 40, 203.
C.omatule, 76, 165.
Commissary committee, 18.
Composit, 100.
Conus mus, 212.
Cook suffers from heat, 143.
Corallines, 115.
Coral reef, description of, 201.
rock, 44.
Corals at Bahia Honda, 98.
near Havana, 83.
northern limit of reef-building
species, 25.
Cornularidae, 86.
Corticaria, 122.
Cost of cruise, 231.
Cotton plant, ror.
‘- Crawfish,” 196.

INDEX.

Crepidula fornicata, 212.
Crinoids, 164.
actions of, 74.
great abundance of, 165.
near Havana, 71.
near Tortugas, 131.
preserved in sealed pans, 56.
Crustacea, at Bahia Honda, 97.
Tortugas, 122
Pourtales Plateau, 155.
Egg Island, 45.
lack of, at Little Cat Island, 220.
protective form and coloration
Waly Gate
Cryptocephalus marginicollis, 70.
Cryptophagide, 152.
Cryptopodia concava, 52, 158.
Cryptozonia, 167.
Ctenophore, 99.
Cuba, coast of, 59, 92.
Consul general of, 62, go.
officials, 60, gr.
size, 59.
“Current,” the (Eleuthera), 202.
Currents off the Florida reefs, 106.
Curculionids, 207.
Custard apples, 102.
Custom house, 229.
Customs regulations at Havana, 60.
Cyathophylloid corals, 176.
Cybister lherminieri, 69.
Cymopolus asper, 158.
Cyphoma, 128.
gibbosa, 211.
Cyprea, 128.

Dall, Dix W. He imoliluscay 222.
deep sea mollusks, 163.
symmetrical hermit crabs, 163.

Dascyllide, 152.

Dasy gorgia, 85.

Decker, E. G., 19.
ornithologist of expedition, 4o.

Deep sea, coloration in, 83.

Degeneracy from intermarriage, 196.

Deltocyathus, 54.

Dendronotus, 29.

Dentalium, 163.

~

INDEX. 241

Department of State, letter from, 6.
Dermestes vulpinas, 153.
Desmoscyphus, 54, 88, 22
Diadema setosum, 45, 132,
Diodon, 28, 49.

hystrix, 205.
Diplomatic service, workin:

yi
5

of, 190.
Diploria cerebriformis, 134.
Diplopteron, 89.
Diptera, 153.
Distichopora, 177.
contorta, 84.
sulcata, 85.
Ditzen, Henry, 19.
in charge of vermes, 126.
Diving of Bahamans, 218.
184.
Dolium perdix, 211.
Dolphin fishing, 145.
Dorocidaris bartletti, 82, 173.
blakei, 173.

)

“Dog watch,”

papillata, 161, 173 ,174.
Dorymyrmex pyramicus, 206.
Double Headed Shot Cays, 57.
Dredge, anchors the schooner, 142.
Dredge, 10, 11.

effectiveness of, 48.

Dredging machine, first trial of, 47.

management of, 73.

Dredging off Little Cat Island, 220.

on Pourtales Plateau, 139.
Dredging rope, 9.

care of, 13.

reeling of, 13.

rigging of, 13.

Drew, Prof. Gilman, 19.

Nits.)

Dry Tortugas, 103, 108, 117.

fumigation of vessel at, 107.

Eburia, 207.
duvalii, 207.
Echinanthus, 48, 53.
rosaceus, 133.
Echeneis naucrates, 205.
Echinodermata of Bahia Honda, 93.
of Spanish Wells, 212.
Echinoderms of Egg Island, 45.

Echinoderms of the Great Bahama
Bank, 52.
of Havana region, 77, 78.
Echinoidea of Pourtalés Plateau, 172.
Echinometra subangularis, 133, 174.
Echinus gracilis, 174.
Educational value of expedition, 140:
benefit of expedition, 231.
“Eel Pout,” 148.
Egg Island, anchorage at, 15.
birds of, qo.
botany of, 42.
coleoptera of, 41.
celenterata of, 45.
crustacea of, 45.
description of, 37.
echinoderms of, 45.
entomology of, 41.
harbor of, 36.
insects of, 41.
mollusca of, 41, 45.
plants of, 42.
products of, 39.
view from, 39.
Elaterida, 96.
Elateropsis rugosus, 207.
Eleuthera, first seen, 36.
coast of, 192, 219.
Ellis, 224.
El Morro, 60.

Emarginula, 212.

“Emily E. Johnson,” description of,
16.
condition of at end of cruise,
229.
Entomology of Bahia Honda, 96.
of Egg Island, 41.
Epialtus bituberculatus, 209.
Erebus, 206.
Eriphia gonagra, 210.
Eristalis vinctorum, 154.
Errantia, 127.
Etropus, 50.
Euetheia bicolor, 41, 203.
Eunicea, 46.
tourneforti, 215.
Eunicide, 127.
Eupactus viticola, 152.

242

Eupagurus discoidalis, 159.
granulatus, 126.

Euphoria sepulcralis, 58.

Euthuorus filum, 7o.

Euschistus crenatus, 153.

Evania appendigaster, 154.

Evenings on shipboard, 184.

Examination of schooner by health

officers at Havana, gt.
made

Excavations by sea-urchins,

2I 2]
213.
Executive committee, 19.

2 3¢

Expedition, cheapness of, 230.

Eyes of Alpheus, 52.

Fan palms, 100.
Factory for pineapples, 189.
Farlow, Prof. W. G. (alg), 232.
Farming on Eleuthera, 199.
Farrea facunda, 1t8o.
Fasciolaria, 128.
gigantea, 128, 211.
trapezium, 211.
tulipa, 211.
Fauna, richness of at Pourtales Pla-
teau, 140.
Kewkes, Dra; Walter 179:
Fiddler crabs, 125.
File-fish, 50.
Fish at Tortugas, 119.
brought up on tangles, 48.
flying, 33.
vivid hues of, 119.
Fishes at Spanish Wells, 204.
of Gulf weed, 28.
of Pourtales Plateau, 147.
Fissurella, 41, 98, (28.
nodosa, 212.
Flocks of sea-birds, optical delusion
concerning, I1q.
Flounder, 50, 121.
Flowers, Capt. Chas., 11, 15, 89, 105.
143, 230.
Flute-mouth, 148.
Flying-fish, 33.
Fort Jefferson, description of, 111.
Fort Taylor, 137.
Fourth of July, 185.

109, 142,

INDEX.

Fregata aquila, 203.
Frogs, 204.
Fruits of Egg

foro}

Island, 44.
Fumigation of vessel at Tortugas,
116.
benefit of, 117.
Fusus (F. eucosmius /), 162.

Gale, 34, 135.
Games at Spanish Wells, 197.
Garden Key, 113.
reefs at, 114.
Garman, Prof. Samuel, fishes, 205,
221.
Garzetta candidissima, 95.
Gastropods of Gulf weed, 29.
at Evg Island, 41.
at Tortugas, 128.
toleration of immersion in alco-
hol, 129.
Geiger tree, 101.
Gelochel don nilotica, 203.
Geocarcinus, 97.
lateralis, 210.
Geographical distribution of marine
life, 140.
Ginglymostoma cirratum, 110.
Goat fish, 120.

Goodman, WDr., 111.
Gonangia (of Iiia), 180.
Gonianotus marginipunctatus, 122.
Gonodactylus, 161.

chiragra, 126.
Gorgonellida, 86.
Gorgonia, 35.
Gorgonians of Spanish Wells, 215.
Gorgonide, 82, 86.

of Ege Island, 45.
Grammaria, 179.
Grapsus maculatus, 45.
Grass finch, 41.
Graves at Tortugas, 114.
| Great Bahama Bank, 46.
animals of, 49.
color of water on, 47.
crustacea of, 50.

dredging on, 47.

ty

echinoderms of, §

Great Bahama Bank, fish of, 49.

geography of, 46

hydroids of, 53.

mollusca of, 52.
Griburius larvatus,
Grosbeak, 41.
Ground dove, 4o.
Gulf Stream, 24.

beneficent work of, 26.

collecting in, 27.

course of, 26.

list of animals of, 31.

off Cuba, 92.

temperature of, 24, 25.
Guns, care of at sea, 38.

for tropical shooting, 40.
Gymnasteriide, 166.
Gyascutus carolinensis, 207.
Halecide, 223.
Halecium, 53.

filicula, 178.

macrocephalum, 223.
Halicornaria speciosa, 225.
Halieuticthys, 151.
Halobates, 154.
Halopteris carinata, 224.
Hammerhead shark, 144.
Haplophyllia paradoxa, 176.
Harbor Island, 182, 188, 189.

churches in, 199.

harbor at, 187.

houses in, 189.

jail at, 190.

magistrate at, 159.
Hatteras light, 228.
Havana, 59.

astrophytide near, 79.

alcyonaria near, 55.

basket fish near, 79.

business at, 65.

cathedrals of, 67.

climate of, 69.

ceelenterates near, 33.

corals near, 54.

crustaceans near, 76.

danger at, 71.

drives of, 66.

INDEX. 1243

Havana, echini near, 82.
echinoderms near, 77.
English sparrows in, 65.
harbor of, 60, 61.

night scene in, 61, 62.
heat at, 68.
history of, 63
hydrocoralline near, 84, 85.
hydroids near, 87.
insects of, 69.
leaving, 91.
museum in, 66.
natives of, 64.
ophiuride of, 78.
parks of, 64, 65.
photographs of, 70.
poorer quarters of, 67.
reception of party at, 62.
return to harbor of, 89.
serpent-stars near, 78.
sights of, 62.
soldiers in, 67.
Health throughout the cruise, 228.
Heat at Egg

gg Island, 4r.
off Cuban coast, gt.
on Pourtalés Plateau, 143.
Hebella, 179, 223.
Heidemann, Mr. O., 122, 154.
Ilemiptera, 207.
at Mey Wiestims3;
at Tortugas, 122.
of Ege Island, 41.
Hemiptychus similis, 152.

Hemitrochus varians, 212
Hermit crabs, 42.
Herrick, Prof. HE, 160;(232.

Hleteropteron, 207.
Hlexactinellidz, 180.
Hippocampus, 148.
HipponGe esculenta, 133, 202, 213.
Hippurella, 224.
Hoist, 8.

Wold, arrangement of, 17.
‘““Hole in the wall,” 46.
Holopus rangei, 105.
Holymenia, 153.
Homeward voyage, 226.
Horse latitudes,” 227.

244

House at Egg Island, qo.
Houser, G. ls 7, 13; 10; 70:
Howe, Miss M., 19.
Hurricane, 227.
Hydra viridis, 30.
Hydrocoralline near Havana, 84, 85. |
Hydroida, 232. |
Hydroids, from Little Cat Island, |
223.
from near Havana, 87.
of Bahama Banks, 53.
of Gulf weed, 30. |
of Pourtales Plateau, 178. |
Hydrophilus triangularis, 69.
Hymenoptera, 154.
Hymenorus convexus, 122, 153.

Ice, absence of on board, 146. |
Icteris hypomelas, 95. |
Idia, 18o.
Insects at Bahia Honda, 96.

at Egg Island, 41.

at Havana, 69.

at Key West, 152.

at Spanish Wells, 206.

at Tortugas, 121.

at Water Cay, 57. |
Iridescent colors of vermes, 12

dl
Iron plates brought up in dredging,

142. |
Iron rope, equipment of, 49.

strength of, 142.
successful use of in dredging, 49.

Isis, 175.

Islands, composition of, 114.
coral in incipiency, 118.

Isolated life, effect of, 195.

Isophyllia dipsacea, 134, 215.

Jelly ish} 3 0:
Johnson, Dr. Leora, 19.
work of at Spanish Wells, 196.
observations on people, Spanish
Wells, 196.

Key West, buildings at, 137.
canning factory at, 127.

description of, 136.

INDEX.

Key West, harbor of, 107.
Kodak, use of at Havana, 7o.
Korethaster, 167.

Laboratory, fitting of, 16.
Lachnopus, 96.
floridanus, 153.
Ladies, accommodations for at Tor-
tugas, III.
admitted to party, 6.
Levicardium serratum, 212.
Lafoéa conyallaria, 88.
Lambrus, 157.
agonus, 157.
fraterculus, 157
pourtalesia, 157.
Lamellibranchiata, 212.
at Tortugas, 129.
Lamouroux, 224.
Land crab, 125, 159.
anatomy of, 97.
of Eleuthera, 210.
Lantana, 43, 100.
Larrabee, Wm. Jr., 19, 141, 229.
Larride, 206.
Larus atricilla, 203.
Latreutes ensiferus, 2
Least sandpiper, 40.
Leguminose, 44, 109.
Lepas, 29, 161.
Lepidoptera at Bahia Honda, 97.
at Spanish Wells, 206.
at Tortugas, 121.
Leptodius floridanus, 124.
Leptogonaster, 169.
Leptopodia sagittaria, 122.
Library, fitting of, 16.
Lictorella, 88.
“Lightning,” the, 1.
Linerges mercurius, 31, 55, 134.
Liomera longimana, 124.
Lippia, 43.
Lispognathus thomsoni, 156.
Littorina, 98.
scabra, 212.
ZICZaAG) 202.
Little Cat Island, 217, 219.
Little Egg Island, 38, 44.

INDEX.

Little Egg Island, gastropods of, 41.
Livonia, 128.
pica, 45, 212.
Loberus impressus, 152.
Locusts of Havana, 7o.
Logger iead Key, 113.
Loggerhead turtles, he'plessness of,
119.
Longhorns, 207.
Lophaster, 167.
Lophiide, 150.
Loxigilla violacea, 41.
bahamensis, 203.
Lucina divaricata, 212.
jamaicensis, 212.
tigerina, 129.
Luidia, 166.
alternata, 166.
clathrata, 212.
Luperus malachioides, 96.
Lycenid, 121.
Lygzus, 153.

Mackerel, 121.
Macroceloma, 51, 156.
trispinosa, 123.
septemspinosa, 156.
Macroura near Havana, 76.
Macrotus waterhousii, 203.
Mad dog on deck, 71.
Madrepora cervicornis, 134.
palmata, 183.
prolifera, 215.
Maioid crabs, 155.
Malthe, 50, 151.
Mameys, 102.
“Man-eating” sharks, 145.
Mangos, 101.
Mangroves, 43.
Mangrove swamps, 99.
Manicina areolata, 134.
Manilla plants, 39.
“Man-o’-war” bird, 57.
at Tortugas, I11, 119.
Mantis, 208.
Mariel, 103.
Marine Hospital, U. S., 137.
Marine mollusca of U. S., 162.

Martin Wagner & Co., 137.
Marx, Dr. George, 232.
Meandrina clivosa, 99.
sinuosa, 99.
Melagrina meleagris, 98.
margaritifera, 212.
Memory in sea-urchins, 214.
Metachroma, 96.
pellucida, 153.
Metalia, 134.
Microphrys bicornutus, 123.
Midgets at Spanish Wells, 197.
Millepora, 54.
expanded zo@ids of, 54.
alcicornis, 134.
Mimus gundlachii, 41, 203.
Mithrax, 123, 157.
forceps, 123.
hispidus, 123.
spinosissimus, 209.
Moat at Fort Jefferson, 113.
Mocking bird, 41.
Modern crinoid fauna, 164.
Modifications of chele, 42.
Mollusca of Bahia Honda, 98.
of Egg Island, 41.
of Great Bahama Bank, 52.
of Gulf weed, 29.
of Pourtales Plateau, 162.
of Spanish Wells, 211.
of Tortugas, 128.
Mollusks, colors of, 128.
Monedula signata, 206.
Monocanthus, 28, 50.
Monocrepidius, 96.
lividus, 152.
Monroe, Mr., U. S. Agent, 190.
Moon flower, 100.
Morals of negroes, 190.
Morro Castle, 54, 60.
Mother Carey’s chickens, 29, 33.
Mudd, Dr., 112.
Munida, 76, 159.
Murgantia histrionica, 122.
Murex, 98, 128, 162.
cabritii, 162.
fulvescens, 163.
nodatus, 163.

246

Murex pomum, 163, 211.
Murices, 163.
Murzna melanotis, 204.

Murray, Dr David, rr) Diets.

Murrill, George, mate, 19.
Muscids, 207.

Musquitoes at Bahia Honda, 93, 95.

Myiarchus lucaysiensis, 4o.
Mycedium fragile, 215.
Myriopods, 96.

Nacerdes melanura, 70.
Nassau, N. P., 186.
Natica, 98.

affinis, 212.

Nautilograpsus minutus, 29.

Negroes, 188.
morals of, 190.
Nematocarcinus, 159.
ensiferus, 159.
Nematophorus, 89.
grandis, 225.
Neptunus, 51.
sayi, 29.
Nerita, 98.
peloronta, 212.
tessellata, 41, 212.
Nets, 10.

Nettling cells, observations on, 215.

Noctiluca, 55.

Noddy terns, 110, 119.
Nomia, 206.

Nurse sharks, rio.
Nycticorax violaceus, 203.

Obelia hyalina, 30.
marginata, 87, 223.

Obeliscus, 212.
sulcatus, 212.

Oculina arbuscula, 176.
from great depth, 176.
varicosa, 99.

Octopus, 128.

Ocy poda arenaria, 125.

Ocypodoidea, 125.

Officials, customs, at Havana, 60.

“Ollas,” 147.

Oliva reticularis, 211.

INDEX.

Ophidiaster, 167.

tubifer, 167.
Ophiocamax, 78, 82, 170.
Ophiocantha, 53, 78, 81.
Ophiocoma, 131, 170, 220.

ethiops, 220.

echinata, 131.

HIISe1, 13T-
Ophiocreas, 8o.

lumbricus, 171.
Ophioglypha, 78, 169.
Ophiolepis, 78
Ophiomitra, 78.
Ophiomusium, 78, 79.
Ophiomyxa, 80, 221.

flaccida, 132, 170.
Ophionereis reticulata, 131.
Ophiopepale, 78.

goésiana, 81.
Ophiothyreus, 78, 81.
Ophiothrix, 45, 53, 22t.

orstedii, 132.

suensonil, 221.
Ophiozona, 78.
Ophiura, 78, 130.

appressa, 131.

cinerea, 130, 131.

lavisenete

rubicunda, 131.
Ophiuride, 78,82, 169, 213.

near Havana, 78, 81.

of Pourtales Plateau, 169.

of Spanish Wells, 212.
Orbicella annularis, 134.
Oriole, 95.
Origin of deep-sea fauna, 164.

Ornithology of Bahia Honda, 95.
Ornamentation of deep-sea shells,

163.
Orthoptera, 208.
Osachila tuberosa, 77, 158.
Osborn, Prof. Herbert, 231.
Otiorhynchid, 207.
Othonia, 123.
©xacis, 122) 052:
Oxybelus emarginatus, 121.
Oyster dredge, 11.

INDEX.

Pachnezus opalus, 41, 70, 207.
Palemon natator, 29.
Palwotropus, josephene, 174.
Palinurus longimanus, 211.
Pangeus bilineatus, 122.
Panopeus, 124.

Pans, as receptacles, 56.
Paracyathus, 84.
Paramuricea, 86.
“Parka Centrale,”
Parthinopide, 157.

of Havana, 65.

‘“‘ Passage, inside,” 191.
narrow to Spanish Wells, 192.
Passion vines, 100.
Pasythea quadridentata, 224.
Pauly Capt. ©: \€. 220;
Pawpaws, 102.
Peckham, Prof. Geo. W., 232.
Pecten ornatus, 129.
irradians, 212.
Pediculati, 149.
Pelagic forms, difficulty of collect-
ing, 32.
Pelagic hemiptera, 154.
Pelia mutica, 156.
Pelopzeus fasciatus, 206.
Pennaria, 216.
Pentaceros reticulatus, 52, 187, 202
212.
Pentacrinide, 165.
Pentacrinus, asteria, 73.
73) 74:
13) 74-
'Pentacrinus ground, 71, 165.

decoras,
miilleri,

first haul of, 73.

first specimen of, 75.

transportation of, 74.
Pentagonasteride, 169.
Pepper coral, 54.
Pergande, Mr. Theo., 12(, 206, 231.
Pericera cornuta ceelata, 123, 156.
Petalium bistriatum, 122.
Petalosticha, 83.
Petrel, stormy , 33.

Wilson’s, 29.
Petrolisthes, sex-spinosus, 126.
Phaéthon flavirostris, 203.
Phakellia tenax, 181.

247

Phaleria, 41, 58, 152.
Pheidole megacephala, 121.
Philip, the pilot, 218.
Pholas, 212.
Phosphorence of sea, 31, 54, 55-
Photography, arrangements for, 16.
Photographs taken by Mr. Houser,
113.
Phrymodius maculatus, 124.
Phrynus, 58.
Phycis regius, 148.
Physalia, 121.
in Bay of Fundy, 26.
arethusa, 134.
“Pier Rock,” 200.
Pilot at Bahia Honda, 92, 104.
at Harbor Island, 187.
Pilotage at Key West, 106.
Pilots’ Association at Key West, 106.
Pilumnus caribeus, 51.
Pindar, Mr., 39.
Pineapple, culture of at Spanish
Wells, 198.
Pines, ro1.
Pinna, 98, 202.
muricata, 212.
Pipe fish, 119.
Pita plant, 43, 99.
Plagusia depressa, 210.
Plans and equipments, r.
Plants of Bahia Honda, 9g.
of Egg Island, 42.
Platycaulus, 175.
Platylambrus serratus, 123, 157.
Plexaura dichotoma, 46.
Plexaurella dichotoma, 215.
Pliobothrus symmetricus, 84, 177.
Plochionus pallens, 207.
Plover rufous-naped, 4o.
semipalmate, 4o.
Plumularia, 224.
attenuata, 179.
geminata, 179.
megalocephala, 88.
obliqua, 225.
Plumularians of Gulf weed, 30.
Plumularide, 88, 179, 224.
Podochela, 77, 155.

248 INDEX.

Podochela gracilipes, 155. | Protective coloration in crustacea,
lamelligera, 156. | 29.
Porocidaris sharreri, 82. | in fishes, 28.
Polistes americanus, 206, | Prouty, Miss Edith, 19.
minor, 206. | Provisions grow scarce, 226.
Polybia cubensis, 206. | Pseudebeus oblitus, 122.
Polyclonia frondosa, 134. | Pseudomyrma flavidula, 206.
Polycesta, 153. Psyllobora nana, 122, 152.
Polyps, method of killing, expanded, | Pterogorgia, 46.
46. | Pterophysa grandis, 177.
Pomacanthus, 120. Pteropods, 164.
arcuatus, 120. Puffinus auduboni, 203.
ciliatus, 120. Purpura hemastoma, 41, 211.
Pompilus, 154. Purslane, 44.
Ponciana regia, 101. Pycnogonida, 161.
“ Porcupine,” the, 2. | Pyromaia cuspidata, 156.
Porcupine fish, 217. | Pyrophorus, 207.

Poricthys, 121, 150.
Porites, 127.

Pyrosoma, 55.

astreoides, 134. Quarantine officer, 107.
clavaria, 99, 134.
furcata, 134. Rain ‘squall, 32, 69.
Poronia, 166.. Rathbun, Miss Mary J., 152, 232.
Potamides, 93. | Reef corals at Spanish Wells, 215.
Potatoes, rotting in hold, 138. Reefing boards, 16.
Pourtales, Count, 2, 157. Reefs at Tortugas, 115.
Pourtalés Plateau, 139, 161. description of, 201.
aleyonaria of, 175. Richness of fauna, 118. ;
anemones of, 177. “Ridley’s Head,” 192, 218.
corals of, 176. Rhipdigorgia flabellum, 45, 215.
crinoids of, 164. Rhizocrinus, 164, 165.
crustacea of, 155. Rhizotrochus, 84.
fishes of, 146. : fragilis, 176.
hydroids of, 178. Rhynchophora, 153.
location of, 139. “Robert E. Patterson,” the, 111.
mollusks of, 162. Rock crabs, 45.
pelagic hemiptera from, 154. Rock purples, 163.
sea-urchins of, 173. Rogers, A. M., 19.

serpent-stars of, 169. Romanes, 213.
sharks of, 144. Rope, length needed in dredging, 12.
simple armed basket fish of, 170. | Rose apples, 102.

siphonophores of, 177.

sponges of, 180. Sabin, Edwin, 19.
star-fish of, 165. Sage brush, Loo.
vermes, 161. Sand burr, 44.
Powell, W. P., 7, 19. Sand Key light, 139.
Prionotus arcuatus, 120. San Salvador, 190, 219.

evolans, 120. Sapodillas, 102.

INDEX.

Saprinus ferrugineus, 122.
Sargasso Sea, 28.
Sargasso weed, 27.
inhabitants of, 28.
Sars’ collection, tr.
Scaphopoda, 163.
Scarites, 207.
Scatophilus sarpedon, 7o.
Schaeffer, Pres. Chas. A., 6.
Schizotricha, 179.
Scirpearella, 86.
Scomber, 204.
Scorpion, 58, 96.
Sculpin, 120.
Scymnus, 122, 152.
Sea birds at Tortugas, 118.
Sea-fan, 45.
“Sea gardens,” 192.
Sea grape, 43, 100.
Sea-horse, 148.
Sea-oats, 122.
Sea-robin, 120.
Seasickness, 22.
freedom from, 139.
Sea-spiders, 155.
Sea-urchins, experiments with, eos
Serpent-stars at Bahia Honda, 98.
of Great Bahama Banks, 53.
of Havana, 78.
of Little Cat Island, 220.

of Pourtales Plateau, 169.
of Tortugas, 130.

Serpulidz, 127.

Serranus, 120.

Sertularella gayi, var. robusta, 179,
distans, 179.

Sertularia, 88, 223.
integritheca, 88.
quadridentata, 224.
tubitheca, 88.

Sertularidz, 179 223.

Shark, 217.
flesh of, palatable, r45.
dissection of, 145.

Sharks at Tortugas, 109.
during calm, 144.

Shell-work, 212.

Shore collecting, appliances, 14.

249

Siderastrzea galaxea, 99, 134.
Sidewalks of Havana, 63.
Sigsbee, Lieut. Commander, on col-
ors of pentacrini, 74.
Sigsbeia, 79, 221.
Simple-armed basket-fish, 170.
Simple corals, 176.
Singing at Spanish Wells, 197.
of children at, 198.
Siphonogorgia, 86.
Siphonophores, 177.
Siphostoma, 119.
Skylights, 16.
Sladen, W. Percy, F. L.S., 165.
Smith, Dr. John B., 231.
Solomon, Mr., 190.
Sombrero light, 139.
Sounding line, 13.
methods, 13.
Soundings on Bahama Banks, 47.
off Havana, 72.
Southern Cross, 47.
Spanish consul at Baltimore, 19.
Spanish cruisers, 61, 69.
Spanish Wells, 192, 193.
birds of, 203.
cemetery at, 194.
children at, 197.
citizens of, 197.
corals of, 215.
crustacea of, 208.
experiments with echinoderms
at, 212.
fishes of, 204.
food of inhabitants at, 195.
gorgonians of, 215.
insects of, 206.
men of, 195.
mollusks of, 211.
reefs at, 200.
unique community at, 194.
Specimens, alcoholic, management
of, 184.
Speotyto cunicularia floridana, 203.
Spherophthalma ferrugata, 154.
Sphegidz, 206.
Sphictyrtus whitei, 208.
Sphyrena, 204.

bo
on
fe)

Spiders at Bahia Honda, 97.
at Egg Island, 41.
at Tortugas, 122.
Spider worts, 44.
Spindalis pretrei, 95.
Spines of Diadema setosum, (32, 133.
of Ophiuride, colors of, 82.
Spirorbis, 30.
Spirula peronii, 211.
Sponges, deep-water, of Pourtales
Plateau, 18o.
Spongodes, 87.
Squall, 32, 185.
Squid, 34.
Star-fish, at Tortugas, 130.
of Pourtales Plateau, 165.
Start home, 225.
Stench from rotting pineapples, 227.
Stereolepis, 204.
Sterna anesthetus, 40, 203.
dougalli, 4o.
maxima, 203.
Stinging power of worms, 127.
Stirrup Key, 46, 186.
Stizus hogardii, 154, 206.
Stolasterias, 168.
Stookey, Prof. Stephen, 19.
Stores removed from vessel, 116.
restowed, 117.
shifting in hold, 33.
storage of, 17
Stormy , etrel, 33.
Strix flammea pratincola, 202.
Strombus gigas, 126, 128, 196, 211.
Strophia, 128.
glans, 41, 42.
incana, 212.
Students, difficulty of access to deep-
sea forms, 4.
Study at night, impracticability of,
22%
Stylaster filogranus, 84.
Submarine ridge, 219.
Sugar cane, 101.
Sulphur fumes, applicatlon in fumi-
gation of vessel, £17.
Surface collecting appliances, 14.
Swell-toad, 120.

INDEX.

Swimming,

144.
Tabanide, 207.
Tachys, 152.
Manollestenie:
effectiveness of, 48.
making of, 35.
suggested by Mr. Jas. E. Bene-
dict, 16.
used on pentacrinus ground, 72.
Tanks for alcohol, 21.
Tectarius, 128.
muricatus, 212.
nodulosus, 41, 212.
Telesto, 86.
Tellina alternata, 212.
rastellum, 212.
Temnechinus, 83.
maculatus, 174.
Tenebrionid, 153.
Terebra, 162.
Terebratula, 161.
cubensis, 161.
Tern, bridled, 40, 44, 57.
least, 119.
noddy, 40 44, 57.
roseate, 40.
Tetramorium caspitum, 121.
guineense, 121.
Tetrodon spengleri, 120, 205.
Thalassography, birth of, 1.
<The Cones aloo:
Thecopsammia, $4, 176.
Thomson, Sir Wyville, 1, 2.
Thracia plicata, 212.
“Three Cruises of the ‘ Blake,” 176.
Thryolambrus, 77.
‘Thuiaria, 54.
Thyanta custator, 153.
Thyroscyphus ramosus, 87.
Tin pans as receptacles, 50.
Tisiphonia fenestrata, 180.
Morell sr
Tortugas, 116.
birds of, 118.
coleoptera of, 121.
corals of, 134.

crustacea of, 122.

INDEX.

Tortugas, description of, 113.
description of Fort Jefferson at,
Tends
fauna of, 118.
fishes of, 119.
fumigation of vessel at, 117.
insects of, 121.
mollusca of, 128.
sea-urchins of, 132.
serpent-stars of, 130.
star-fish of, 130.
Tow-net, failure of, 34.
Toxopneustes variegatus, 98.
Transportation, 18.
of crustacean larve, 209.
Trawls, 9.
Trichius delta, 152.
Trichopteryx, 152.
Tridactylus, 208.
Tringa minutilla, qo.
Triton chlorostomus, 211.
Trivia, 52, 128.
quadripunctata, 212.
Trochus jujubinus, 212.
Tryon, Marine Mollusca of U.S., 162.
Tubicole, 127.
Tubularide, 56.
Tug, absence of at Dry Tortugas,
109.
Turtles at Bahia Honda, 104.
Typical coral reef, 200.
Tyrannus dominicensis, 203.

United States Agent, 1go.
University class, members organ-
ized for expedition, 17.

Upeneus maculatus, 120.

Vermes at the Tortugas, 126.
VernillProt. Av i. 222.
on colors of deep-sea animals,
158.
Vervain, 44.
Vessel, description of, 16.
View from light house, 39.
Vireo altiloquus barbatulus, 41.

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cn
=

Voluta junonia, 162.

Waldheimia floridana, 161.
Washing clothes by beating, 189.
Water Cay, description of, 57.
birds of, 57.
insects of, 57.
Water, clearness of at Egg Island,
38.
“ Water glass,” 201.
Water supply, 18.
Weather during cruise, 227.
Weevils, abundance of in West In-
dies, 96.
of Bahia Honda, 96.
Weights for dredges, I1.
Wield Prote laG eros.
White ants, 208.
Wickham), HI EF; 19})95, 122, 120;
154, 161, 163, 232.
Mrs. H. F., ro:
Williams, Hon. Ramon, 62.
aid rendered by, 62.
strange mistake of, go, 91.
Williams, Miss Margaret, 19.
Wilson, E. B., on Pycnogonida, 161.
Wilson, Miss Bertha, 19, 42, 99.
Wilson’s petrel, 29.
W orm-like fish, 151.
Worms on Gulf weed, 30.

Xiphigorgia anceps, 215.

Yachting license, 182.

Yams, 196.

Yellow fever, Dr. Murray’s opinion
of 125.

Zelus longipes, 207.

Zinnia, 100.

Zoarces, 205.

Zoarcide, 148.

Zoblogical material collected during
cruise, 231.

Zophobas, morio, 153.

Zoroaster ackleyi, 167.

EIRRSENa lene

Page 19, fifth line from bottom, for A. G, Barrett read A. M. Burrett.
Page 45, foot-note, for Mary E. Rathbun read Mary J. Rathbun

Page 50, fourteenth line from bottom, for Mal/‘hus read Malthe.

Page 51, twentieth line from top, for C. camptocera read M. camptocera.
Page 77, seventh line from top, for Libinia read Temnonotus.

Page 84, seventh line from bottom, Pliobathus read Pliobothrus.

Page 88, first and thirteenth lines from top, for Lafaa read Lafoéa.
Page 125, fifteenth line from top, for Achelons read Achelous.

Page 179, fifth line from top, for gaya read gayi.

Page 215, ninth line from top, for £. tourneforti read E. muricata.

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