210 



IN AUSTRALIAN WILDS 



[Aplysia] also inhabited the lagoon. When dis- 

 turbed the creatures discharged from glands in the 

 mantle a purplish fluid that discoloured the water 

 for yards around. Among the coral black-and-white 

 eels were seen occasionally. Sea snakes kept out of 

 our way, and none of us was particularly anxious to 

 encounter venomous reptiles. 



TURTLE TRACKS ON THE BEACH. 



We were able to study the Green Turtle [Chelone 

 mydas] at close range; for the breeding season had 

 begun, and thousands of the huge creatures had come 

 to the Capricorns. It was nothing unusual to see 

 twenty or thirty basking on the beach, and as many 

 more swimming in the lagoon. When a sleeping 

 turtle was aroused, it hastened to the sea, spurting 

 sand in all directions with its powerful, paddle-shaped 

 limbs. A full-grown Turtle can drag two men, or 

 carry them on its carapace. Frequently we enjoyed 

 turtle-back rides. It was easy enough to secure a 



