March, 1929 
The Queensland Naturalist 
9 
fish, crabs, shrimps, holothuria, all in many and varied 
colours, one species of the latter, snake-like, and appear- 
ing* to consist of a mere tube of skin; others exuding 
strings of white and sticky matter when touched; mol- 
luscs, some free swimming, such as the beautiful Lima 
.... which lurks under the blocks, others without shell, 
squid, octopus up to 7ft. across, sea hare, star fish from 
bright blue to sandy colour, sea urchins with short brown 
spines, and others with black spines nearly a foot in 
length, brittle and poisonous, sea snakes and blue spotted 
rays, and many other species. 
Of Gasteropods there are not so many as in some 
places. A few are Trochus, Mitra, Clava, Terebra, Cyprae, 
Ovula, Natica, Strombus, Pyrazus Delphinula, Conus, 
Oliva, etc., and of bivalves: Oysters of various kinds, in- 
cluding an inferior variety of Pearl, Perna, Lima, Spon- 
dylus, Tellina, with its strangely twisted tip. and Litho- 
domus was found boring in the rock. Chitons were also 
in plenty on the rock masses. 
In the outer edges of the reef, where the water is 
constantly moving, are other forms, though it is not so 
easy to see or obtain them. 
Worms of various kinds are to be found, including a 
striped black and white Nemertine on the sand, two or 
three yards in length, and a quill in thickness, some form- 
ing their own spiral shells on coral blocks, and again 
other kinds boring holes in coral masses and showing only 
their flower-like tentacles in many colours, only to dis- 
appear like a flash when touched. 
Corals themselves are in great variety, and of every 
colour and shape; branched, ear and plate shaped, brain 
coral, solid rock masses, the plainest of all, a marvel of 
beauty and construction when seen under a lens. 
Fish, edible or otherwise, were not so greatly in 
evidence as might be imagined. It is stated by residents 
that since the cyclone of some 2 years ago, the fish seem 
to have left the locality, whether by reason of destruc- 
tion of food, or other causes, it is difficult to- say, but it 
would be the source of an interesting investigation to 
determine the reason, if it were possible. Comparatively 
few have been caught for food, and these mostly whiting, 
while mackerel can sometimes be got by trolling line 
around the reef. 
A few whales, notably a cow and calf have been seen 
around on several occasions feeding, or perhaps scratch- 
ing themselves on the nigger heads around the reef, and 
