the Queensland naturalist. 
JOURNAL OF THE QUEENSLAND NATURALISTS’ CLUB 
AND NATURE-LOVERS’ LEAGUE. 
Vol. VII. October, 1929. No. 3 
PROCEEDINGS. 
SPECIAL MEETING, WEDNESDAY, 18th JULY, 
1929. — The valuable scientific work which the Barrier 
Reef expedition has been doing* was explained by Dr. T. 
A. Stevenson in an address on 4 ‘Life on Low Island/ ' 
which he delivered to a largely-attended meeting of the 
Club. The president (Dr. F. W. Whitehouse) presided, 
and Dr. Elizabeth Fraser, who also is a member of the 
expedition, was present. 
Dr. Stevenson, by demonstrating that he was a 
skilled artist as well as a noted scientist, made the address 
extremely interesting. With the assistance of a black- 
board he prefaced his remarks by giving a vivid idea of 
the shape and formation of Low Island, and then pro- 
ceeded to trace the growth of the coral from the egg to 
the adult stage. Illustrating the difficulties encountered 
when testing the weight and size of the coral at different 
stages, he said measurement was a serious obstacle. Cal- 
culations were assisted by photographs periodically taken, 
and the experiments were conducted by placing pieces of 
coral on cement blocks, and keeping them under water. 
Valuable scientific information had been gained by these 
means. Opportunity had been taken to make a map of 
Low Island and complete a survey, based on a study of 
the life and habits of the animals which inhabited it. Dr. 
Stevenson referred to the wonderful picture to be seen 
m the vicinity of Lizard Island, to which he had paid a 
brief visit, owing to the structure and colouring of the 
reefs. Generally speaking, coral was rather dull in 
colour, but it was rendered extremely beautiful owing to 
the texture which gave it a nice effect under water. There 
were, however, species of bright colours of a wide range. 
Replying to a number of questions, Dr. Stevenson was 
optimistic regarding the results which could accrue from 
the investigations of the expedition. 
Mr. H. A. Longman (deputy chairman of the Great 
Barrier Reef Committee) moved a vote of thanks to the 
lecturer. 
