July 1957 School Magazine

July, 1957

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Maqazine

July. 1957

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Maqazine

EXPLORING THE BARRIER REEF The Great Barrier Reef of Queensland is one of the great natural wonders of the world. No description can adequately convey to the mind an impression of the beauty of the coral and the life a ssociated with it. At seven-thirty, we boarded the launch, and began our five hour cruise to a coral reef called Shaw Reef. On our first introduction to the coral, it was somewhat disappointing, as all that could be seen was brown, dead coral with huge nigger heads rising above everything else. As we neared the reef, and looked over the sides of the launch, layers upon layers of brilliantly coloured coral could be seen. The dinghy was lowered, and we were rowed over to the coral. Our ramble over the reef was full of interest, for the life everywhere is different from what we have ever seen. Clams with their sinuous mantle edges· displayed a wealth of brilliant colours. The mantle is velvet in appearance, and the clams spurt water whenever anyone comes near them. There are flowers on the reef, which bear a close resemblance to chrysan- themums and anemones. Prominent in every pooL and conspicous by their ugliness, are long drab beche-de-mer, or sea-slugs. There are many soft corals, rather rubbery in appearance. The hard coral is what must be looked for to walk on. Tropical fish of amazing pat- terns, and vivid colours·, swim lazily in crystal clear water. Tiny crabs scurry hither and thither among the coraL and baby octopi are seen everywhere. One of the most sought-for shells, is the tiger cowrie shell: we were fortunate enough to find severaL under huge chunks of coral ; these always come in pairs. They are about four inches in length, and have brown or black spots. We also found a couple of white cowries·, which are beautiful. Another interesting shell fish which is quite plentifuL is the Spider Shell. The upper surface is usually dulL and more or less eroded, but the lower surface is a most delicate pink. It has derived its name from the long, curved spines that pro- ject from the margin of the shell. While we had been admiring the reef, and my father had ·been taking coloured photographs, the tide had s'lowly been coming in, and we had to walk back to the dinghy through limy, muddy water. When once again on board the launch, we were taken into deeper water where many enthusiasts began fishing for Red Emperor, and other tropical fish which we enjoyed the following evening. 33

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