6 Melvill, Molluscan Fauna of the Arabian Sea, etc. 



of sandy beach which are exposed to the full force of the 

 S.W. monsoon, have been examined, but they are usually 

 as devoid of shells as the surrounding country is of 

 vegetation ; it is only in sheltered nooks that anything like 

 success has rewarded the most diligent search. The coast 

 line of the Persian Gulf is about three times the length of 

 Mekran Coast, and has been even less explored. Oppor- 

 tunities of landing at any but the regular ports of call are 

 few, although more dredging has been done in the Gulf; 

 it is again only in the sheltered corners that any spoils 

 can be obtained. One live coral reef, at Bahrein, was 

 examined at low water, but yielded nothing beyond Murex 

 spinosus and Turbo radiatus, both common species. 



"The bed of the Gulf is chiefly composed of blue mud, 

 at a depth of from 40 to 50 fathoms, decreasing, as the 

 head of the Gulf is reached, to 30 and 20 fathoms. 

 Although live specimens are seldom met with, the mud 

 contains large quantities of dead shells, and these, it may 

 be presumed, in a living state, inhabit the rocky patches 

 and coral which abound in all parts, becoming scattered by 

 the action of currents, hermit crabs, etc. The best results, in 

 dredging, have been achieved round the various islands in 

 from 7 to 12 fathoms ; the bottom, in these localities, is 

 mainly composed of coral, live and dead, sand and weeds ; 

 the little mud there is being mixed with sand and loose 

 stones. 



" One interesting fact has been observed in the Persian 

 Gulf, and in a less degree on the Mekran Coast. The 

 submarine telegraph cable belonging to the Indian 

 Government (from Karachi to Jask a single line, from 

 Jask to Bushire two lines), lies principally upon the mud, 

 in about 45 fathoms. Upon raising the cable for repairs^ 

 in any part, it is generally found to be covered with shell 

 growth, varying in quantity and thickness according to the 

 length of time the cable has remained undisturbed. 



