NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE. 



489 



was separated from the shore of the island by a band of water which had a slightly 

 yellowish tinge, caused by its shallowness and the colour of the coral-built bottom. The 

 lagoon channel was very shallow, and in many places it was possible to wade from the 

 shore to the outer edge of the reef. The reef, in short, may be regarded as a transitional 

 stage between a fringing and a barrier reef. 



The vegetation of Matuku is very different from that of Tongatabu, though no doubt 

 much like that of Eooa. Ferns are numerous instead of scanty, and amongst them a 

 beautiful climbing species [Lygodium reticulatum) is abundant. At the time of the 

 visit the most conspicious trees, after the screw pines and cocoanut palms, were those of 

 ;i species of Erythrina, 1 which was in full scarlet blossom. On the honey of the flowers 

 of this tree a most beautiful Lory (Domicella solitaria) was feeding, and with it some 

 little Honey Birds (Myzomela jugularis). The Lory is one of the most beautiful little 

 parrots existing, showing a splendid contrast of the richest colours, jet black, red, and 

 green. It is peculiar to the Fiji Islands, and flies in flocks, and hence the term "solitaria" 

 is apt to give an erroneous impression as to its habits. A Swallow (Hirundo tahitica) 

 was flying about in considerable numbers at the summit of the peak. Several lizards 

 were found at the Fijis, Hemidactylus sp., at Matuku, and Gymnodactylus sp., one of 

 the Agamidse, at Kandavu, and Mabouya cyanura at both islands. 



Hopping about on the mud beneath the mangroves on the shore was the extraordinary 

 little fish, Periophthalmus, which skips along with great rapidity on the surface of the 

 water by a series of jumps, each being as much as afoot in length, and it prefers escaping 

 in this way to swimming beneath the surface. It is very nimble on land, and difficult to 

 catch, using its very muscular pectoral fins to spring with, and when resting on shore the 

 fore part of its body is raised and supported on these. The eyes of the fish, which is one 

 of the Gobies, are remarkably prominent, projecting directly upwards from the skull. In 

 the mangrove swamps the fish often sits on the lower branches and roots. From 

 what is known of its habits, it is probable that it would be drowned by long immersion 

 in water. The Fijian species is Periophthalmus hoelreuteri. Its prey is said to 

 consist of terrestrial insects 2 and Crustaceans left by the receding tide ; according to 

 Semper it feeds also on Onchidium? 



Sixteen species of land shells were obtained at the Fiji Islands, among them one 

 novelty, Helix (Trochomorpha) latimarginata, E. A. Smith. 4 



The Arachnida obtained by the Expedition at Matuku were Meta tuberculata, Keys, 

 Meta granulata, Walck., Nephilengys sp. ?, Nephila sp. ?; from Kandavu were brought 

 Kpeira moluccensis, Dol., Epeira nnangareva, Walck., Meta tuberculata, Keys, Meta 



» Erythrina indica. The " Araba " flowers in August, the time to plant yams ; hence the flowering of this tree is 

 the basis of the Fijian calendar. Seemann, Flora Vitiensis, London, 1865-73. 



2 Dr. A. Gunther, Brit. Mus. Cat, Fishes, vol. iii. p. 97, 1861 ; Introd. Study of Fishes, p. 487, Edinburgh, 1880. 



3 Animal Life (Internat. Sci. Series), p. 189, London, 1881. 



4 Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 270, 1884. 



(narr. chall. exp. — vol. i. — 1884.) 62 



