1900.] MARINE FAUNA OP CHRISTMAS ISLAND* 117 



Ophidiaster sp., Ophiocoma cethiops, 0. scolopendrina, Actinopyya 

 miliaria, Diadema saxatile, Echinometra hicunter, Colobocentropus 

 atratus. Of the Echinoids, Echinometra is the commonest and 

 lives in holes in the rock, which it appears to excavate. 



Towards the extreme edge of the reef many small specimens of 

 Tridacna gigas nearly embedded in the rock may be seen, but 

 they never attain very great size here. Squids and a species of 

 Octopus are fairly common, but very difficult to discern ; the Octopus 

 is often used for food by the people, while the Squids are devoured 

 in large numbers by the Gannets and Frigate-birds. 



The reef-fish were not collected ; they, however, are much the 

 same as those found at Cocos-Keeling Islands, and probably are 

 all common In do-Pacific forms. They form an important part of 

 the food of the people, and are usually obtained with the spear, 

 in the use of which the Cocos-Islanders are extraordinarily skilful. 



Below will be found lists and descriptions of the Molluscs, 

 Corals, Sponges, and Foraminifera ; and I must express my sincere 

 thanks to the Authors of these communications for the trouble 

 they have taken over the small collections I was able to bring 

 back. 



II. A List of the Marine Mollusca collected by Mr. G. W. Andrews 

 at Christmas Island. By Edgar A. Smith. 



No pretence of systematically collecting marine objects was 

 made by Mr. Andrews, his direct object having been the investiga- 

 tion of the geology and the terrestrial fauna and flora. A certain 

 number of specimens, however, observed during rambles upon the 

 coast, were captured and preserved. Those mentioned in the 

 following list were found in Flying Fish Cove on the north 

 coast of the island. They are mostly very common forms, having 

 a wide range in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. 



1. Octopus sp. 



2. Ommatostrephes sp. 



3. Conus hebrjeus Linn. 



4. Coitus coronatus Dillwyn, 



5. Leucozonia smaragdula (Lamk.). 



6. Tritonidea undosa (Linn.). 



7. Engina mendicaria (Lamk.). 



8. Iopas sertum (Bruguiere). 



9. Sistrum morus (Lamk.). 

 10. Sistrum rioinub (Linn.) 



