Lord Howe Island — PARAMONOV 
79 
recorded a specimen of water scorpion, Belo- 
stoma indicum Les., the presence of which on 
so isolated an island is not easy to explain. 
THE RECENT HISTORY OF THE FAUNA 
In order to understand the composition of 
the fauna it is necessary to know what elements 
of the fauna have arrived on the island with 
man (since about 200 years ago) . Therefore, we 
will trace the most important moments in the 
recent history of the island. 
The island was discovered by Lieutenant 
Lidgbird Ball on 17 Feb. 1788, but the first land- 
ing took place on 13 March 1788. Ball has writ- 
ten in his journal: ". . . sent a boat to examine 
the isle, and found abundance of turtle. . . .” The 
next notice on 14 May 1788: "Hoisted the 
jollyboat out and sent her on shore.” 
Gilbert noticed in his journal on 16 May: 
". . . he (Capt. Ball) informed me that the island 
afforded plenty fine turtles, fowls, fish, coconuts 
and cabbages,” and further: 
At the head of the bay grew a fine long grass, 
and the whole island appeared to be covered 
with trees, among which mangroves and coco- 
nuts were conspicuous. There was a very thick 
undergrowth of a vine resembling ratten, which 
crept along the ground and greatly impeded us 
in the pursuit of birds. The surface of the island 
in centre was composed of sea sand, mixed with 
marine shells, and most parts were covered with 
trees. The island seemed to be about 16 miles 
long. Great numbers of gannets, very large and 
fat, were about, showing less fear than geese in 
a farmyard. We found many nests in the long 
grass at the head of the bay. On entering the 
woods I was surprised to see large fat pigeons of 
the same plumage and shape as those in Europe. 
They were so tame as to be knocked down with 
little trouble. Partridges, likewise, in great num- 
bers ran along the ground. Several of these I 
Fig. 1. Lord Howe Island. The mountainous southern part of the island as seen from northwest. At right 
Mt. Gower, at left Mt. Lidgbird. In foreground, Rabbit Island. The slopes of both mountains are densely 
afforested. Photo: Miss Zenta Liepa. 
