114 THE GREAT BARRIER REEF. 



Barrier district of an abundant development of coral-reefs that present to the eye, under favour- 

 able conditions, a more pleasing aspect than that of " a half-drowned mass of dirty brown 

 sandstone, on which a few stunted corals had taken root," applied, as quoted from Mr. Jukes' 

 work on a previous page, in a wholesale fashion to the reef-scapes ordinarily exposed to 

 view. On one occasion, a little to the north of the area now under discussion, Mr. Jukes 

 appears to have fallen in with a luxuriant patch of growing coral very much akin to certain 

 of those represented in the Low Woody views, although, from the context, it is evident that 

 even in this instance the growing coral was not completely uncovered, but visible only through 

 the clear, superjacent water. In their general features, however, the aspect and colours 

 described so closely accord with those associated with the Low Woody and other analogous 

 reefs illustrated in this volume that Mr. Jukes' descriptive paragraphs are herewith reproduced. 

 Besides furnishing corroborative testimony concerning the brilliant hues of the growing reefs, 

 recorded by the author in the plate-descriptive chapter, they endorse the evidence respecting 

 the living tints of many of the individual corals and reef-fishes associated with the series of 

 coloured plates. The paragraphs in Mr. Jukes' journal are as follow : 



" I had hitherto been rather disappointed by the aspect of the coral-reefs so far as beautj^ 

 was concerned, and though very wonderful, I had not seen in them much to admire. One day, 

 however, on the lee side of one of the outer reefs, near the wreck of the Ferguson, I had reason to 

 change my opinion. In a small bight of the inner edge of this reef was a sheltered nook, 

 where the extreme slope was well exposed, and where every coral was in full life and luxuri- 

 ance. Smooth and round masses of Moeandrina and Astr^a were contrasted with delicate leaf- 

 like and cup-shaped expansions of Explanaria, and with an infinite variety of branching Madrse- 

 porae and Seriatoporse, with some mere finger-shaped projections, others with large branching 

 stems, and others again exhibiting an elegant assemblage of interlacing twigs of the most delicate 

 and exquisite workmanship. Their colours were unrivalled — vivid greens contrasting with more 

 sober browns and yellows, mingled with rich shades of purple, from pale pink to deep blue. 

 Bright red, yellow, and peach coloured Nulliporae clothed those masses that were dead, mingled 

 with beautiful pearly flakes of Eschara and Reteporae ; the latter looking like lace work in 

 ivory. In among the branches of the corals, like birds among trees, floated many beautiful 

 fish, radiant with metallic greens or crimsons, or fantastically banded with black and yellow 

 stripes. Patches of clear white sand were seen here and there for the floor, with dark 

 hollows and recesses, beneath overhanging masses and ledges. All these, seen through the 

 clear crystal water, the ripple of which gave motion and quick play of light and shadow to 

 the whole, formed a scene of the rarest beauty, and left nothing to be desired by the eye 

 either in elegance of form or brilliancy and harmony of colouring. 



"This beautiful portion is, however, only to be seen on the extreme verge, and outer 

 slope of a coral-reef, when circumstances are favourable for its examination, which is not often 



