August 31, 1954 (cont.)
—
seaward flats a blue tipped Acropora coral and on the lagoon side
a tan colored Acropora was seen.
The water in this’ area seemed to be clear without suspended
matter.
Much dead coral,
clam shells and other shells were seen,
especially in the seaward flats."
Welander collected fish with Fish-Tox on the seaward side of
Rist
=
the island in the bend where the “old” island is attached to the
Fish collected included
"new".
Collection was near low tide.
mullet,
surgeons, groupers, wrasse, goatfish and gobies.
On return
to Eniwetok the fish were placed in the reefer and frozen before
departure for Hono and Seattle with the rest of the specimens.
Covered the equipment standing in the open in the lot across
from EMBL to protect it in case of rain.
Gessel‘s notes on Edna:
"Edna is building each year by increased deposition of coral.
The deposition is obviously covered each high tide by wave action.
Vegetation is in two stabilized areas and is mainly Messerschmidia.
There are about 5 older bushes 6-&' tall and numerous smaller
from 6 to 30".
The nature of the sand spit will change rapidly
as these plants grow.
Triumfetta
is also present and spreading.
About 3 coconuts have germinated but it is doubtful if they can
grow.
The beach has a number of other seeds,
including Ochorsia
meee
--so other plants should appear soon.
The large numbers of
Ge