CHELONIAD.E. 



Turtle to tlie species about to be described, is very hard, 

 but the edge is sharp, in most cases toothed, and that of the 

 lower jaw is received into a groove of the upper ; so that the 

 food taken between them is not only cut by the external 

 sharp edges passing each other, but bruised by the pressure of 

 the lower mandible against this upper groove and its internal 

 margin. When not engaged in feeding, they are often seen 

 floating without the slightest movement on the surface of 

 the sea, sometimes at considerable distance from the land, 

 apparently asleep ; for they are at such times easily approached 

 and taken. 



The annual resort of the various species of marine Turtles 

 to the land for the purpose of depositing their eggs, is one of 

 the most interesting points of their history. On the Island 

 of Ascension, on the shores of the Gulf of Florida, and in 

 many other places, innumerable multitudes of Turtles arrive 

 at a period of the year differing somewhat in the different 

 species, but in all during the early part of the summer. 

 They resort to their favourite breeding-places from various 

 parts, some even from a great distance ; and there is reason to 

 believe that each individual returns year after year to the same 

 place. The following details of this operation, from the 

 graphic pen of my friend Audubon, are so interesting that 

 I offer no apology for inserting them without mutilation. 



" On first nearing the shore, and mostly on fine calm 

 moonlight nights, the Turtle raises her head above the water, 

 being still distant thirty or forty yards from the beach, looks 

 around her, and attentively examines the objects on shore. 

 Should she observe nothing likely to disturb her intended 

 operations, she emits a loud hissing sound, by which such of 

 her many enemies as are unaccustomed to it are startled, and 

 so are apt to remove to another place, although unseen by 

 her. Should she hear any noise, or perceive any indications 

 of danger, she instantly sinks, and goes off to a considerable 



