THE LITTORAL AND MARINE FAUNA 331 



pleasant occupations of coral island life is walking at low- 

 tide along the flats in the hunt for the fine polished cowries 

 which are to be found beneath any loose boulder that may be 

 turned over. 



It is a delightful quest, and one of which the interest 

 never flags, for beneath every stone that is moved there are 

 a hundred forms of life, and most are of brilliant colour and 

 strange in shape. Splendid Nullipores clothe the rocks, bright 

 and delicate Nudibranchs and shining cowries (native names, 

 Dakon and Groos) live in the crevices ; crabs and fish dart this 

 way and that as their home is moved from its foundations. 



Octopuses (native name, Gorita) also live among these 

 rocks, and they are among the most wonderfully protected 

 of animals, for in the twinkling of an eye they assume per- 

 fectly the colour of the boulder to which they cling. They 

 are fairly easily speared, and are by no means bad to eat when 

 properly prepared and cooked. Their curious defensive method 

 of expelling their ink into the water is a very effective one as 

 far, at any rate, as man is concerned, for when one has been 

 hunted from rock to rock, and has finally obscured all the 

 water for many yards around with the dark brown stain, it is 

 as well to give up the chase, for he will not likely be found 

 when at length the water clears. Portions of the tentacles 

 of Octopuses of phenomenal size have been washed ashore 

 upon the atoll beaches, but none of those that I have seen alive 

 about the islands have been of alarming proportions. Jelly- 

 fishes (native name, Ohor obor) come to the lagoon at certain 

 seasons only, and then they are to be found in great numbers, 

 but for many months on end not one will be seen anywhere 

 about the whole of that part of the ocean. The Portuguese 

 man-o'-war {Physalia), however, knows no season, and some are 

 generally to be found in rock pools damaged by the breakers 

 which cast them up. They are also at times encountered when 

 bathing, and the sting of their long tentacles is a very severe 

 one. The sailing of these curious creatures is often to be 

 witnessed, and the queer bubble-like vessels may be seen 

 almost any day proudly navigating the ocean, or wrecked, a 



