{g"^'] Excursion to Phillip Island. 29 



EXCURSION TO PHILLIP ISLAND. 

 Phillip Island is situated at the mouth of Western Port Bay, 

 and, on account of its genial climate, has been described by 

 many as the " Isle of Wight " of Victoria. Although so con- 

 veniently situated, within a few hours' journey from Melbourne, 

 it is astonishing that so few people avail themselves of its many 

 advantages. For the naturalist it is an ideal spot, there being 

 an abundance of material to work upon. The Short- tailed 

 Petrel, Piiffinus brevicaudus, Gld., more familiarly known as 

 the Mutton-bird, alone is an extremely attractive study, and 

 the observation of the avifauna generally amply repays a 

 visit. The littoral species of marine life to be found on its 

 ocean beaches are very numerous, while the material to be 

 found by dredging in the Bay will supply no end of interesting 

 objects to the student, and in this we have the added interest — 

 that much of this material is not to be found in Port Phillip 

 Bay, although in such close proximity. This fact can be 

 explained by the enormous area of mud flats to be found in 

 Western Port which does not occur in Port Philhp. The 

 mainland, from Stony Point to San Remo, French Island, and 

 the lower portion of Phillip Island, are practically unapproach- 

 able except at high tide and at a few landing-places. This is 

 a source of great trouble to those who live along the coast, and 

 who depend upon the water for the means of earning their 

 living. As the tide drains off these flats it forms numerous 

 rivulets, which run into larger channels, and these again run 

 into main channels, which flow into the Bay. As there is a rise 

 and fall of tide ranging from 8^ to loj feet, there is a great rush 

 of water, and in consequence some of these channels are very 

 deep, ranging to a depth of 8 fathoms. The mud flats, when 

 systematically searched, are a happy hunting-ground for the 

 naturalist. Certain species of molluscs, crustaceans, &c., revel 

 in this material. Here, for example, we find, encased in mud 

 balls, that beautiful mollusc, Modiola arbor escens. It was a 

 long time before the peculiar habit of this bivalve was dis- 

 covered. Occasional specimens were secured in deep water 

 by the dredge, but one day, in a muddy patch, fourteen shells 

 were obtained as the reward of perseverance, and associated 

 with them was also found the equally rare Modiola victories. 

 The mud balls in which both these molluscs are encased are 

 wonderfully constructed, being massed together with fibrous 

 material ; and, as the shells are very fragile, care has to be used 

 in taking them out of their encasement. For a long time I 

 dredged in vain for the polyzoa Amathia tortuosa. One day 

 I amused myself with picking off as much as I wanted from a 

 bank (Reed's Channel) at low tide. 



For these reasons this interesting island, which has an area 



