The two following Species are Marine Tortoises, or, as they are usually denominated, Turtles.

THE GREEN TURTLE*.

This species is found in great quantities on the coasts of all the islands and continents on the Torrid Zone, both in the old and new worlds. The shoals which surround these islands, and border the whole coasts of these continents, produce vast quantities of alga, and other marine plants, which, though covered by the water, are near enough to the surface to be readily seen by the naked eye during calm weather. Amid these submarine pastures, a number of marine animals are found; and, among them, prodigious multitudes of Turtles. In these meadows, as they may be called, the Green Turtle is often seen, in vast numbers, feeding quietly on the plants which they produce.

As the Turtles find a constant abundance of food on the coasts which they frequent, they have no occasion to quarrel with animals of their own kind for that which is afforded in such plenty to them all. Being able, like the other species of Amphibia, to live even for many months without

Shaw.

* SYNONYMS. Testudo Mydas. Linn. Common Green Turtle. Common Turtle. Esculeut Turtle. Green Turtle. Shaw's Gen. Zool. vol. 3. tab. 22.

↑ La Cepede, i. 80.

food, they flock peaceably together. They do not other herding animals,

:

however appear, like many to have any kind of association together they merely collect, as if by accident, and they remain without disturbance.

Their length is is often five feet or upwards; and they sometimes exceed five or six hundred pounds in weight. Their shell is broader before than behind, where it is somewhat pointed. It consists of thirteen brownish divisions, surrounded by twentyfive marginal ones. The mouth is so large as to open beyond the ears on each side. This is not armed with teeth, but the bones of which the jaws are composed are very hard and strong, and furnished with points or asperities that serve in some degree the same purpose. With these powerful jaws they browse on the grass, sea-weed, and other plants which grow on the shoals and sand-banks, and with them they are likewise able to crush the shell-fish on which they sometimes feed.

After having satisfied their appetites with marine plants, they often retire to the fresh water, at the mouth of the great rivers, where they float on the surface, holding their heads above water, apparently for the purpose of breathing the fresh air. But as they are surrounded with many dangers, both from their natural enemies, and from mankind, they are necessitated to use great precaution, in thus indulging themselves with cool air, and with the refreshing streams of river water. The instant they perceive even the shadow of any

object, from

which they suspect danger, they dive to the bottom for security*.

The strength of this animal is so great as to allow it to move along with as many men on its back as can stand there. It sleeps upon its back on the surface of the water. The legs are so far. fin-shaped as to be of little other use than to swim with.

The inhabitants of the Bahama Islands are peculiarly dexterous in catching the Turtles. In the month of April, they go in their boats to the coasts of Cuba, and some of the neighbouring islands, where, in the evenings and moonlight nights, they watch the going and returning of the animals to and from the shore, where they lay their eggs. They turn them on their backs on the land and then leave them, to perform the same operation on as many others as they can meet; for when once. turned, they are unable again to get on their feet. Many are taken in the sea, at some distance from the shore: these are struck with a kind of spear, whose shaft is about four yards in length. For this work two men usually set out in a small light boat or canoe, one to paddle it gently along and steer, and the other to stand at the head with his weapon. Sometimes the Turtles are discovered swimming with their head and back out of water, but most commonly lying at the bottom where it is a fathom

1

or more deep. If the animal sees that he is discovered, he immediately attempts to escape: the men pursue and endeavour to keep him in sight; and, in the chase, generally so far tire him that, in the course of half an hour, he sinks to the bottom, which affords an opportunity to strike him with the spear through the shell. The head of the spear, which now slips off and is left in his body, is fastened with a string to the pole; and, by means of this apparatus, they are enabled to pursue him, if he should not be sufficiently spent without: if, however that is the case, he tamely submits to be taken into the boat or hauled ashore.-There are men who, by diving to the bottom, will get on the backs of the animals; and then, by pressing them down behind, and raising their fore part, bring them by force to the surface of the water, where some person is in waiting to slip a noose round

their neck.

They very seldom go ashore, except for the purpose of depositing their eggs in the sand: this is done in April. They dig a hole at high-water mark, about two feet deep, and drop into it above a hundred eggs; and at this time they are so intent on the operation that they do not notice any one that approaches them, and they will even drop the eggs into a hat if held under them. If, however, they are disturbed before the commencement of their business, they always forsake the place. They lay their eggs at three, and sometimes four different times, fourteen days asunder, so that the young are hatched and come forth also at different times.

After having deposited the eggs, they scratch the hole up with sand, and leave them to be hatched by the heat of the sun, which is generally done in about three weeks. The eggs are each about the size of a tennis-ball, round, white, and covered with a parchment-like skin*.

Sir Hans Sloane has informed us that the inhabitants of Port Royal in Jamaica had formerly no fewer than forty vessels employed in catching these animals; their markets being supplied with Turtle, as ours are with butchers meat.

The introduction of the Turtle, as an article of luxury, into England, appears to have taken place within the last seventy years. We import them principally, if not entirely, from the West India islands.

THE LOGGERHEAD TURTLE.

This is one of the largest species, and in its general appearance has a great resemblance to the last the head however is larger, the shell broader, and the number of segments of the disk is fifteen, of which the middle range is gibbous or protuberant towards their tips. The fore legs are large and strong, and the hind ones broad and shorter. These Turtles inhabit the seas about he West India

islands, and they are found in the Mediterranean,

*Catesby, ii. 38.

+ Testudo caretta. Linn.--Shaw's Gen. Zool. vol. 3.

24, 25.

tab. 23,