Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, Volume 1 by George Grey
page 73 of 388 (18%)
page 73 of 388 (18%)
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A shell, Janthina exigua, was caught this evening, 8 hours 30 minutes
P.M.; when brought directly out of the water into a room the temperature of the animal was 80 degrees 5'; of room 76 degrees; colour, dark violet purple over half the opening and lower part of the shell, so that it gives the animal the appearance of having been upon a purple-coloured place; this colour then dies gradually away, and in the smallest whorl of the shell becomes almost white. They had the power of emitting drops of a violet colour, and when put into spirits a great quantity of this issued from the mouth of the shells. We had one evening before caught a pair of shells of the same species, but much smaller, at exactly the same hour; in both instances each pair were caught at the same haul of the net. November 23. Latitude 21 degrees 43 minutes south; longitude 109 degrees 43 east. 8 1/2 P.M. FLYING FISH. A flying-fish (Exocetus) flew on board. Its temperature was 74 degrees. The colour of its iris was black. Length from mouth to end of curve between forks of tail 10 inches. From mouth to commencement of wing-like fin 2.7 inches. Length of wing fin 6.7 inches. of dorsal fin 2.0 inches. of pectoral fin 2.2 inches. of anal fin 1.3 inches. of upper fork of tail 2.2 inches. of lower ditto 3.2 inches. Length from mouth to end of gill 2.2 inches. Breadth of wing fin 6 inches. |
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