Oh. XII.il EEEF AT PULO PAPPAN. 197 



considerable numbers, while the. other, Helix Iseta, of a 

 pale straw-colour, was less numerous. The magnificent 

 land-sheU, Helix Brookei, only equalled by a species in 

 Cambodia (which indeed surpasses it), is pretty frequent not 

 only in Borneo, but in Labuan, as may be estimated by the 

 fact that, although once a high-priced shell, the natives who 

 are employed to collect, only ask ten cents (Sd.) each for 

 them at the present time. 



It was on this reef of Pappan that, in company with 

 Mr. Low, we found the great Anemones which sheltered 

 fish, and which I had previously observed on Fiery Cross 

 Reef. It has long been known that a sea-cucumber 

 (Holothuria ananas) shelters a fish in a similar manner, and 

 a figure of this fish is given in the " Voyage of the Astrolabe." 

 It is not a little remarkable that a Holothuria of the same 

 habit exists on this reef, as has been discovered by Dr. 

 Coulthard of Coal Point ; but whether it is the Holothuria 

 ananas or another species I am not aware. Beautiful living 

 corals strew this corner of Pappan ; Fungise, with large 

 bright green club-shaped tentacles, looking like magnificent 

 anemones ; patches of large dark purple Echini, containing 

 from 50 to 100 individuals, so closely packed as completely 

 to conceal the sea bottom ; their spines six inches long, and 

 rows of brilliant metallic blue spots glistening in the ambu- 

 lacra ; little Asterinas (A. minuta ?), and numerous shells of 

 Murex and Cyprsea. Elegant httle Gorgonise grew up here 

 and there, inviting a hand to pluck them ; but woe to the 

 hand that accepted the invitation, as one of our Malays did, 

 for the ramifying stem was covered with a transparent 

 gelatinous substance which stung him just as the threads of 

 a jelly-fish or sea-nettle would have done, much to his 

 astonishment and discomfiture. I was somewhat surprised 



