March, 1 929 
The Queensland Naturalist 
7 
Low Island is only 7 or 8 miles from Port Douglas, 
a once prosperous and busy port for the goldfields and 
tableland generally, before Cairns came into existence. 
It is also about a similar distance from the mouth of the 
Daintree River, a district now increasing in importance 
by reason of a butter factory and a certain amount of 
timber trade. The main route to the North is close to ihe 
Eastward, and large steamers are frequently seen passing. 
Exactly how much Low Island may have grown or 
otherwise altered since Cook’s time, it would be hard to 
say. It would probably be safe to assume that even then, 
some part of it, at all events, was more or less covered 
with vegetation, otherwise Cook might Jiave called it a 
reef or bank in referring to it ; the statement that it was 
in great part overflowed., it being high water, rather 
aptly describes it at the present day. The fact that there 
is 150 years of coral growth to account for may be ex- 
plained by the surplus being constantly removed from the 
surface into neighbouring deep water, by action of the 
elements, or by subsidence. However, such problems are 
for the scientists engaged on these questions to elucidate. 
The general form of the reef on which the island 
stands is somewhat heart shaped, approximately a mile 
from E. to W., and nearly 1J miles from N. to- S. 
About midway on the Northern side is the island 
proper, the only habitable portion, and having an area 
cf about 3^ acres, oval in shape, barely 150 yards from E. 
to W., and about 100 yards from N. to S., nearly level, 
and only a few feet above high water spring tides. 
On this islet, under normal conditions, are erected 
the lighthouse, built about 1877, and 3 lighthouse- 
keepers’ residences; but now, in addition, are the quar- 
ters of the scientific expedition, located along the South- 
ern and Southwestern sides. 
The sea has not come over the islet since a cyclone 
some 20 years ago, when waves swept right across and 
through the low-built houses, but luckily doing no great 
damage. At such times it might be mentioned that the 
inhabitants take refuge in the strongly-built lighthouse, 
until all danger has passed. 
Adjoining the island is the harbour, small, and dan- 
gerous to strangers, owing to the presence, in places, of 
“nigger heads” of coTal, but affording good anchorage 
for boats up to 50ft. at all times, except when a Northerly 
blow is on, which only occurs during the summer or 
North-west season. 
