3 
species of convolvulus which had large succu- 
lent leaves and lined the sandy beach with its 
long trailing stems. I perceived that the 
leaves were a good deal eaten and found a very 
pretty species of Cassida or Tortoise Beetle in 
great numbers. It turns out to be a species 
identical with some I have had sent to me 
from Cardwell. I searched very assiduously 
but in vain, for a long time,, for other speci- 
mens but with the exception of an interesting 
Longicorn Beetle I got nothing of importance. 
A nest of turtle’s eggs was found in the sand. 
Climbing a hill I came suddenly upon a steep 
slope of loose earth and stones, down which I 
found a number of our party must have 
scrambled. On reaching them I found them 
busily employed knocking oysters from their 
native rock. They were pronounced, though 
small, very sweet, and seemed like the rock 
itself, being so embedded and attached as to 
be completely disguised, and I gave credit to 
their discoverer for his sharpsightedness. It 
was now getting towards dinner time and a 
signal was fired for us to rejoin the vessel, 
one loiterer only being left behind and a boat 
sent for him subsequently. On the summit of 
this island was a square piece of rock so situ- 
ated as to present a forcible resemblance to the 
ruined turret or keep of some gigantic castle. 
We started from our anchorage on Saturday, 
•December 2, at sunrise. A numerous group 
of rocky islets next met our view (the Beverley 
Group), fourteen or more being visible at once. 
At noon we came upon the Cumberland Isles, 
which were, some of them, large and lofty ; 
one summit being 874 feet high, according to 
the chart. From the contour of these islands 
it is evident that they form the summits of a 
range of submarine hills. Some portions of 
these islands were, densely clothed with pines 
(the common Moreton Bay species), but which 
appeared to be of no great size. The next 
object which met our attention was Whitsun- 
day Passage, a piece of exquisite scenery 
which many an artist would give a good deal 
to have an opportunity of depicting ; but as 
the vessel was sailing rapidly, the utmost I 
could do was to make of it a rough panoramic 
outline. Beyond this part of the coast the 
scenery becomes more grand and impressive, 
the summits of Hinchinbrook Island ranging 
from 2990 to 3650 feet. This day being Sun- 
day, divine service was conducted in the 
morning by the Bev. W. Scott, of Sydney. 
The water of the sea exhibited a marked 
change in color, being of a beautiful light blue 
tint. Passing the Barnard Islands I was re- 
minded that here and on the opposite coast 
were procured, by Mr. MacGilliray, the 
rarest of the three species of rifle birds, 
Ptiloris Victoria. This species still remains 
comparatively unknown, and specimens are 
valuable. Any collector spending a day or 
two among these islands might be well repaid 
for so doing, as, no doubt, a very high price 
would be obtainable for specimens of the birds 
alluded to. It is to be hoped that Mr. 
Cockerell, in his adventurous trip in the 
“Naturalist,” has not neglected these islands, 
as, should he meet with the rifle bird in ques- 
tion, any skins obtained by him would be very 
carefully prepared, and some of them might 
chance to come into the possession of the 
Queensland Museum.* The navigation from 
this point being less known than the waters to 
the south some anxiety was felt by the pas- 
sengers at our sailing after dusk, and Captain 
Gowlland, more in deference to their feelings, 
than from any fear on his own account, 
anchored our vessel at Frankland Island. 
Starting early next morning, 4th December, 
we soon came upon a scene which attracted 
all eyes, when, at 7-30 a.m., we anchored in a 
beautifully sheltered bay at Fitzroy Island. 
Our water being nearly exhausted it was deter- 
mined to call here for a supply, which we 
were informed was excellent in quality and 
easily accessible, as it proved, being scarcely a 
hose length from the sea side. The beach was 
composed entirely of fragments of broken 
coral and emitted a musical or tinkling sound 
as we walked over them. Though sea worn 
and smoothed by mutual attrition, they were 
sufficiently file-like to be very destructive to 
boots and shoes. The beach sloped pretty 
suddenly and a little higher up was formed of 
finer material, but all from the same source 
and was much intermingled with trailing 
plants and creepers, with here and there 
blackened blocks of coral projecting, _ thus 
shewing recent elevation. A number of inter- 
esting trees were also observable, which tended 
to give much variety to the scene, and across 
a flat covered with coarse grass and other 
plants we came upon the creek from which 
our water supply was obtained. This creek 
flows down a valley between the two principal 
summits of the island, and yields a good sup- 
ply at all seasons. I did not visit tine eastern 
side of the island which, Mr. Hill has since 
informed me, is much more prolific in botanical 
desiderata. The insect tribes were holding 
high holiday on our arrival, and I was enabled 
to capture a considerable number of speci- 
mens, principally Lepidoptera, several of 
which, though not new to me, were not to be 
found so far south as Brisbane. At the north- 
west and also at the south-west portion of the 
island were a fringe of huge water worn 
granite boulders, which from the deck of the 
steamer, looked small enough ; but, when we 
visited them proved to be of huge proportions. 
They were mostly of a light buff color and 
looked like sand stone at a distance. The 
heat was oppressive, and while we were on 
shore a heavy shower came on. The crew 
finished watering towards evening, when all 
returned on board. Several beautiful birds 
were shot, which were brought to me for ex- 
* I believe Mr. C. spent several days liere on his trip 
up, and obtained a good many specimens. 
