56 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1821. it we found several varieties of coral, particularly 
Aug-. 1. explanaria mesenterina, Lam. ; caryophyllia fasti- 
giata, Lam. ; and porites subdigitata, Lam. : the 
only shell that we observed upon the reef was a 
delphinula laciniata, Lam. (turbo delphinus, Linn.)* 
After obtaining bearings from its extremity, as also 
from the summit of the outer dry rock, we landed 
upon a small verdant-looking grassy mound, the 
northernmost islet of the group ; but we found the 
verdure of its appearance was caused only by 
the abundance of the spinifex, through which we 
had, as usual, much difficulty in travelling. After 
procuring some bearings from its summit, we 
re-embarked, and pulled up Munster Water, 
supposing that it was connected with the strait 
at the back of Greville Island ; but as the tide, 
then flowing, was running in a contrary direc- 
tion to what was expected from the hypothesis 
we had formed, we began to suspect some other 
communication with the sea, and in this we 
were not deceived; for a narrow, but a very 
deep strait opened suddenly to our view, at the 
bottom of the Water, through which some of 
the islands in the offing were recognised. In 
pulling through we had kept close to the south 
shore, that we might not miss the communi- 
cation with Hanover Bay, but notwithstanding 
all our care, we passed by without noticing it. 
