CH. VI MABINE FAUNA OF TALIS 8E SHORES 127 



very conspicuous feature of the Talisse reefs, I shall not 

 make further reference to them. 



Having thus briefly explained the principal differences 

 between the large groups of corals, I will ask the reader to 

 accompany me in imagination upon one of my reef expe- 

 ditions. Armed with a large net and stout walking-stick, 

 clothed in a thin flannel shirt and trousers, my head 

 covered by a large leaf hat, and my feet and legs protected 

 by a thick pair of Magdala boots, I start off across the 

 sandy lagoon accompanied by one or two boys carrying 

 crowbars, buckets, bottles, and small boxes. The sun is 

 pouring down its fiery rays upon our heads, and when the 

 water first penetrates our boots and clothes it strikes warm, 

 or almost hot instead of cold. 



Upon the wooden piles of the pier itself may be seen 

 a large number of interesting things. Some beautiful 

 branches of an Alcyonarian called Isis, whose flesh is of 

 a brilliant colour on account of the millions of blood-red 

 spicules with which it is beset, a few Httle graceful basket- 

 like bryozoan skeletons clinging to the wood, and here and 

 there a large brush-like tuft of a gorgonian, like a bit of 

 seaweed in colour and texture, hanging down into the water ; 

 but slimy masses of sponge and a few barnacles are the 

 principal things which cover the piles in the water that is 

 shallow enough for me to venture into. 



Leaving the pier I pick my way along the edge of the 

 coral reef, now stumbling into a hole that douses me to the 

 neck ; now standing firm upon a great mass of fan-shaped 

 madrepore. I pause a moment to make a note of this 

 splendid specimen. It is a true madrepore, springing from a 

 root-stalk that is as thick as a man's arm. It is fan-shaped, 

 the root forming the hilus or axis, the anastomosing branch- 

 ing substance of the fan being at right angles to the stalk, 

 and parallel to the sea-surface. Upon its broad expanse — 



