48 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



obtained. One species of Cuttle-fish is very common, and 

 possesses a marvellous power of alteration of colour. It 

 frequents the rock-pools, and is hunted by the convicts, who on 

 catching it turn the mantle inside out and tear off the ink-bag ; 

 it is then dried, and makes an excellent soup when boiled. 

 Several species of Echinodermata were taken, but no novelties. 

 A Cidaris was common, and so was a beautiful Echinus, which 

 sometimes almost filled up a small rock-pool, so closely were the 

 animals crowded together. Several Star-fish were also caught. 

 Among the Crustacea, a small blue Cray-fish and several species 

 of Crab proved excellent eating. One kind of Crab is exported 

 to Pernambuco, in wooden boxes filled with dry leaves, where it 

 fetches a large price. The convicts are very skilful at cleaning 

 out the insides of these Crabs and Lobsters, and stuffing them to 

 make Natural-History specimens. A species of Grapsus abounds 

 on the rocks, keeping just above the sea- water, usually green and 

 grey, but it was sometimes ornamented with brilliant red. It is very 

 active, and can leap from stone to stone in an astonishing manner. 

 There is also a white Crab which lives in burrows in the sand, 

 and when dug out runs rapidly on the extreme tips of its hind 

 claws in a most ridiculous manner. 



Of the lower animals, Sponges of all colours, Corals green 

 and brown, two kinds of Sea Anemone, one large claret-coloured 

 species, and another smaller, of a dull red, were met with. Worms 

 also are tolerably numerous, and many were obtained by breaking 

 up the reef with a hammer. The most objectionable was a 

 splendid scarlet worm, about four inches long, ornamented with 

 large tufts of white bristles on the sides and back. When touched 

 these bristles, like thread of blown glass, enter the skin and sting 

 horribly, the effect lasting for a couple of hours. The natives 

 call it the " Lagarticia do Mar." 



Among the terrestrial invertebrates collected were one small 

 Scorpion and two or three Myriopods, including a large Centipede 

 which usually lived under cow-dung and stones, but sometimes 

 invaded houses, and bites rather badly. Amongst several kinds 

 of Spider, one of large size and nocturnal habits plays havoc with 

 the large American Cockroach, which also frequents the houses. 

 Several species of land Mollusks were obtained, one being a 

 curious new Bulimus. Lepidoptera were rare : one species of 



