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Show 1900.] MARINE FAUNA OF CHRISTMAS ISLAND. 117 Ophidiaster sp., Ophiocoma cethiops, 0. scolopendrina, Actinopyga miliaris, Diadema saxatile, Echinometra lucunter, Colobocentropus atratus. Of the Echinoids, Echinometra is the commonest and lives in holes in the rock, which it appears to excavate. Towards the extreme edge of the reef many small specimens of Tridacna gigas nearly embedded in the rock may be seen, but they never attain very great size here. Squids and a species of Octopus are fairly common, but very difficult to discern; the Octopus is often used for food by the people, while the Squids are devoured in large numbers by the Gannets and Frigate-birds. The reef-fish were not collected; they, however, are much the same as those found at Cocos-Keeling Islands, and probably are all common Indo-Pacific forms. They form an important part of the food of the people, and are usually obtained with the spear, in the use of which the Cocos-Islanders are extraordinarily skilful. Below will be found lists and descriptions of the Molluscs, Corals, Sponges, and Foraminifera; and I must express ray sincere thanks to the Authors of these communications for the trouble they have taken over the small collections I was able to bring back. 11. A List of the Marine Mollusca collected by Mr. C. W. Andrews at Christmas Island. By E D G A R A. SMITH. No pretence of systematically collecting marine objects was made by Mr. Andrews, his direct object having been the investigation of the geology and the terrestrial fauna and flora. A certain number of specimens, however, observed during rambles upon the coast, were captured and preserved. Those mentioned in the following list were found in Flying Fish Cove on the north coast of the island. They are mostly very common forms, having a wide range in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. 1. OCTOPUS sp. 2. OMMATOSTREPHES sp. 3. CON us HEBRCEUS Linn. 4. CONUS CORONATUS Dillwyn. 5. LEUCOZONIA SMARAGDULA (Lamk.). 6. TRITONIDEA UNDOSA (Linn.). 7. ENGINA MENDICARIA (Lamk.). 8. IOPAS SERTUM (Bruguiere). 9. SISTRUM MORUS (Lamk.). 10. SISTRUM RICINUS (Linn.) |