PEARLS AND PEARL-OYSTERS. 207 
extensive shallow water coral reefs, composed almost exclusively of the encrusting 
or frondose expansions of Madrepores, belonging to the genus Turbinaria. This 
coral group, it has been observed by the writer on various parts of the Coast of 
Australia, represents the one that is most abundantly developed in extra-tropical 
waters, it being capable of surviving lower temperatures than any of the more 
ordinary tropical Madreporide. Nevertheless, the presence and exceedingly luxuriant 
growth of this Coral, combined with the circumstance that many shell fish and 
other organisms, indigenous to the waters in which the larger Pearl-shell grow, 
inhabited Shark’s Bay, encouraged the anticipation that this species also might be 
artificially induced to become established there. 
The Government approving of the suggested experiment, it was forthwith 
carried into practice. The chief difficulty that presented itself was the transportation 
of the living shell from the 
nor-west to Shark’s Bay. 
During the writer’s cruise of 
investigation in the Govern- 
ment schooner ‘“ Meda” to 
the Pearling grounds, some 
two dozen healthy living 
pairs of shells were pro- 
cured from the fleet then 
working near the Lacepede 
Islands, and, being kept in 
tubs of sea water that was 
constantly changed, were 
ultimately brought in safety, 
with only a single loss, to 
their appointed destination. 
W. Saville-Kent, Photo, 
Here they were placed in 
YOUNG TROPICAL PEARL-OYSTERS, ATTACHED TO A PORTION OF THE PARENT SHELL, 
GROWN IN SHARK’S BAY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. NATURAL SIZE. p. 208. 
frames, similar to those used 
at Thursday Island and Broome Creek, and lowered into suitable situations on the 
coral reef near Dirk Hartog Island. Examined at intervals, the shells were found 
to be progressing favourably and increasing in size. Finally, on the frames being 
taken up and opened in the writer’s presence, in November, 1894, precisely twelve 
months from the date upon which they were first put down, a number of young 
