March 1855 Hong Kong, China In the month I recommenced marine researches. I did but little dredging however, but confined my operations chiefly to the shores of the Chinese fishing-boats which are often quite zoological treasure. I made several excursions to the bays below Ly-ee-moon passage and cruised Green Island. Fishing, both with the line and seine, was the chief object of these excursions. With the line many large rock-fish were caught, Halistes, Tules, Labri, Melasurus etc.—the operations with the seine were less successful. In some small streams of fresh-water two or three fishes new to me were caught by my ingenious Chinamen “John” and his boys, who always accompanied me on my excursions. The Hong Kong fish-market I visited regularly, and found it very rich in species, scarce a day passing with but some novelty turning up; so that here I collected some 50 species of fish which did not occur to me elsewhere. A few invertebrates new to me occurred in the shores at low waters, but in this department my last year’s researches left but little few species undiscvered of the kinds which are tolerably easy of access. March 1855 Hong Kong, China The time approaching for our departure, the necessary arrangements were made, including a few changes in the appointment of officers to the different vessels. The “Hancock” and Cooper sailed in the latter part of the month for Lo-o-cher, viz. Coast of Formosa (Pescadores Is.) where they were to seek for tidings of the “Porpoise” and the Amakirrima Is. St. McCollum, who has been all winter in the “Kennedy” at Canton, has joined the “Hancock”. The officers of the “Vincennes” are now as follows: Commander John Rodgers Ward Room Actt. Lieut. Roe “ “ Pellebrown Master Russell Artswoman Brooke Purter Boggo Surgeon Prior Secretary Knox Artist Kero Petanist Wright Zoologist Simjous Supt. Surgeon Michel Stearage Metenslogist, Shubrows Parters Clerk, Nible Captain “ Bierbower Mate Mate Thompson “ “ Kent F.O. Runer & Acting Lieut. Davis Carpenter Owens Sailmaker Berry