830 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



produced ; but from what we know of chromo-lithography, we 

 are inclined to think that these plates might have been very much 

 better done. 



Among the fisheries of the Great Barrier and Torres Strait 

 districts, those of Turtle and Tortoise-shell are in a compara- 

 tively latent condition. The Edible Turtle, Chelone mydas, 

 abounds in these waters, and breeds on the sandy shores of the 

 coral islets. Except, however, for local consumption, and the 

 export of a limited number to Sydney and Melbourne, little or 

 nothing is done with this valuable item of commerce. One 

 method of capturing turtle by the natives of Torres Strait, 

 although not described for the first time, is remarkable, and may 

 be new to some of our readers. 



The large Sucking-fish, Echeneis naucrates, which grows to a 

 length of 3 or 4 feet, and is called by the natives Japu, is kept 

 alive at the bottom of a native canoe, a thin line being fastened 

 round its tail and through its gills. On a turtle being sighted 

 near the canoe, the sucking-fish is thrown out towards it, and 

 immediately swims to and fastens upon its carapace. If the 

 turtle be a small one, or of medium size, it is hauled in by the 

 line, the fish retaining its tenacious hold ; but if it be a large 

 one, a native jumps overboard with a stronger line, and following 

 the smaller one down secures the turtle. 



The trade in tortoise-shell in this part of the world is not 

 sufficient to constitute an independent industry, the greater 

 portion of that which is collected being obtained in a desultory 

 manner by those engaged in the Beche-de-mer trade. Neverthe- 

 less the average annual value of the tortoise-shell exported from 

 Queensland within the past ten years has slightly exceeded ^£400> 

 The most valuable description, procured from the Hawks-bill 

 Turtle, Chelone imbricata, will realise from 20s. to 25s. per lb. 

 The thinner and inferior shell from the Edible Turtle, Chelone 

 mydas, will not fetch more than 4s. or 5s. per lb. 



We have yet one more subject of interest to notice before 

 closing this sumptuous volume. 



A highly characteristic Barrier Reef animal is the Australian 

 Dugong, Ilalicore auatralis, technically referred to a distinct 

 herbivorous order of the Mammalia known as the Sirenla. 



The average length of the Dugong when adult is from 

 8 to 10 feet, though it occasionally reaches 12 feet in length. 



