ARRIVE AT MORETON BAY. 45 



for the pui-pose of running' a meridian distance^ and 

 ours Moreton Ba}'. 



One day, while off Cape Byron^ an interesting- 

 addition to zoology was made in a small floating 

 shell-fish^ which has since proved to constitute a 

 new genus,* throwing light, I am informed, upon 

 many fossil univalves in the older formations ; and a 

 rare bird of the noddy kind (Anous leueocapillus) 

 perched on the rigging towards evening, and was 

 added to the collection ; for even the beauty and 

 innocence of a tu'ed wanderer like it was insufficient 

 to save it from the scalpel. 



On Oct. 18th we anchored in Yule's Roads, More- 

 ton Bay, in 13 fathoms, sand, about a mile off 

 shore, and remained there for sixteen days. During- 

 our stay, some additions were made to render more 

 complete the former survey of this important sheet 

 of water. Buoys Avere laid down to mark the 

 intricate channels of the north entrance, now pre- 

 ferred for its greater safet}'- to the south entrance, 

 although lengthening by about 50 miles the passage 

 to or from Sydney, The wTeck of a steamer, and 

 loss of most of those on board, had not long before 

 caused a great sensation, and forcibly attracted 

 attention to the dangers of the southern entrance. 



Moreton Bay is an expanse of water 45 miles in 

 length, and 20 in greatest width, enclosed between 



* This mollusc, allied to Litiopa, Professor E. Forbes has 

 done me the honour to publish in the Appendix as MacgilHvrayia 

 pelaffica. 



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