66 THE GREAT BARRIER REEF. 



The lower figure included in Plate XLIl. is introduced in order to illustrate various 

 highly artistic designs for utilising some of the shells of the Great Barrier district. Trumpet 

 shells, the large white Murex, Frilled and Bear's-foot Clams, Hippopus, and " Green Snails," Turbo 

 olcariiis, are mounted on admirably-executed, imitation, red coral stands. Either singly or in 

 artistically arranged groups, these coral-mounted shells lend themselves with remarkable 

 suitability to the purposes of table decoration. The larger groups, fashioned in the form 

 of epergnes, constitute graceful central ornaments for the reception of flowers or fruit, while 

 the single specimens have a most pleasing effect when planted with miniature ferns and 

 lycopods. Introducing a few other shell devices, you can produce a very elegant and unique 

 decorative suite. The mother-of-pearl shells, for example, polished and mounted on short feet, 

 which may be most appropriately turned in mother-of-pearl, constitute remarkably handsome 

 dessert dishes or plates. Finger-bowls and larger fruit-stands may be constructed of single 

 Clam-shells, six or eight inches in diameter, while smaller valves of the same genus make 

 excellent salt-cellars. The pale-yellow frilled variety, Tridacna Ciunmmgii, is particularly eligible 

 for this purpose. The directions in which this artistic adaptation of Nature's products can be 

 developed is almost unlimited, and to anyone possessing a suitable collection of shells the 

 suggestion may prove acceptable. Among other shells indigenous to the Barrier district not 

 previously referred to in this association, the glossy white " Poached-egg " shells, Ovitlmn oviiiii, 

 as also many of the beautifully spotted cowries, form, when reversed, elegant receptacles for 

 small, short-stalked flowers, such as violets. It only remains to be mentioned that the originator 

 of the shell designs here illustrated, is Mr. C. Williams, King Street, Hammersmith, who has 

 from this central depot laid the foundation of a steadily increasing trade that is receiving sub- 

 stantial support at special industrial exhibitions and sea-side resorts. In addition to making 

 his own original designs, Mr. Williams undertakes the mounting, with the same durable 

 coral-like material, of suitably selected specimens from his customers' cabinets. The author 

 hopes that this brief notice of their adaptability may lead to a fuller development of the trade 

 in decorative Australian shells. 



PLATES X L I I I . TO X L V 1 II . 



BARRIER REEF FISHES. 



The subject-matter of these last six plates of the photo-mezzotype series, is so fully dealt 

 with in a specially written chapter as to demand only a passing notice here. The distinctly- 

 printed, popular and technical names, appended to each fish figured, suffice to indicate then- 

 respective identities. It may, however, interest readers to observe that these illustrations are 

 reproductions of photographs executed by the author from, in almost all instances, fish taken 

 freshly out of the water, and in many cases alive. It is due to this fact that the fins 



