230 THE GREAT BARRIER REEF. 



the mud flats near mangroves, and not from the clean-swept reefs affected by its typical black 

 ally. Regulations which had been previously advocated for prohibiting the collection of this small 

 variety of Beche-de-mer would have been misplaced. As so far observed, the young or immature 

 individuals of the commercial species are never collected to an extent demanding the imposition 

 of restrictive legislation. 



Respecting the bathymetrical or vertical distribution of commercial Beche-de-mer, red, black, 

 and prickly-fish are reported to occur at a depth of four or five fathoms, and lolly-fish have been 

 observed by divers as deep down as eighteen fathoms. The deep-water examples of the red 

 and black varieties, obtained by diving, are of the largest, and, as indicated in the list hereafter 

 submitted, they fetch a higher price, and are recognised by a distinct title in the market. The 

 question has been discussed by certain of the boat-owners whether Beche-de-mer might be 

 profitably collected with the aid of diving apparatus after the manner of pearl-fish, and it will 

 probably be put to a practical test. Black-fish and sand-fish, and many non-commercial varieties 

 of Beche-de-mer, were taken by the author in some quantities, with the aid of a dredge, at a 

 depth of three or four fathoms in Port Denison, off Bowen ; and it would seem possible that 

 this implement might be profitably employed in many localities for the capture of these creatures. 

 The southernmost point at which the Beche-de-mer fisheries have so far been systematically 

 worked is eastward from Mackay, occupying a position of 21° south latitude. Many large- 

 sized species, not yet turned to practical account, however, abound throughout the Australian 

 littoral, while one of the finer commercial types, known as surf-red, has been collected by 

 the author, on the most southern coral-reef on the Barrier system which surrounds Lady Elliot 

 Island. 



The features that distinguish the commercial from the non-commercial varieties of Beche- 

 de-mer are at first sight obscure. One characteristic peculiar to some of the non-commercial 

 varieties is the habit they possess, when handled, of ejecting from the vent rope-like masses of 

 white cottony filaments, " Cuvierian organs," which on their first emission adhere with extreme 

 tenacity to every object with which they come in contact. In respect of this peculiarity, the 

 names of "cotton-fish" and "cotton-spinners" have been appropriately bestowed upon this 

 particular group of Beche-de-mer. What renders most of the Holothuridae, or Beche-de-mer, 

 family, including all the European species, useless for the market is the comparatively soft texture 

 of their flesh, which decomposes or assumes a gelatinous condition within a few hours after their 

 removal from the water or on being placed in the boiling-pot. The}' cannot be cured. It is 

 possible, however, that if immersed in brine, or treated with some strong astringent immediately 

 after collection, certain of these hitherto non-commercial forms might be turned to profitable 

 account. 



The quantities and value of the Beche-de-mer that have been annually exported from Queens- 

 land within the ten years 1880 to 1889 are herewith appended. The figures will suffice to indi- 



