282 THE WEALTH OF THE SEA 



and the hawk's-bill have two claws on each foot. The 

 fat of this turtle, greenish in color, gave the turtle 

 its name. 



Turtles are always shipped alive and while on the 

 way are turned over on their backs. This may seem 

 rather cruel, but is necessary, since the animals die if 

 allowed to lie in the normal position, as the lower shell 

 is too weak to bear the great weight of the body, 

 and the pressure on the heart and lungs causes the 

 animals to die. At the cannery in Key West, the 

 turtles that are to be slaughtered are laid on the 

 dock on their backs. Then the heads and flippers are 

 severed with a sharp ax. Next the shells and entrails 

 are cut away with sharp knives. The flesh is washed 

 in sea-water and then taken to the cannery, where 

 it is hung up to drain until the next day, when it is 

 canned. 



The females contain eggs during May, June, and 

 July, and their value is greatly increased at that 

 time, as the eggs are locally much in demand. A 

 female contains from six to thirty pounds of eggs. 

 The small, yellow, immature eggs are especially well 

 liked and generally bring around sixty cents a 

 pound, whereas the white or mature eggs sell at 

 approximately twenty-five cents a dozen. The mature 

 eggs are about as large as a golf ball and are 

 covered with strong paTchment-like skin which is 

 rather difficult to break. 



The Hawk's-Bill and Other Turtles 



The tortoise-shell that is used for fancy combs, 

 brushes, and other articles is derived from the shields 



