REPTILES OF BERMUDA. 295 



me to separate them, distinguishing the former by the name SjyJiargis 

 schlegelii, and the latter by that by which it is commonly known, SjyJiar- 

 gis coriacea. 



The Green Turtle, Chelonia, and the Ilawkbill, Eretmochehjs, seldom 

 venture more than 35° from the equator. Species of these genera are 

 unlike in the Atlantic and Pacific. Those of Chelonia are most num- 

 erous and seem to vary most according to locality, which would sug- 

 gest a disposition less erratic or perhaps a distribution determined 

 to some extent by that of the grass of their favorite pastures. On our 

 coasts these turtles range from the Carolinas to Southern Brazil, and 

 from Southern California to Peru. The places of greatest abundance 

 are on the shoals in the vicinage of low sandy beaches or islands not 

 occupied by men. Persons who make a business of collecting turtles 

 and eggs in the Florida Keys and among the West Indies claim that 

 the great demand has resulted in no diminution of the numbers. In the 

 Bermudas, as we have seen, those well able to decide are satisfied that 

 turtles are growing less numerous. 



For much of the information given below I am indebted to my friend 

 Richard JM. Kemp, of Florida, who has taken great pains to secure an- 

 swers to the lists of questions sent out ; the balance was gathered upon 

 the grounds by observation or from the turtlers. His notes included 

 items concerning the "Bastard," a turtle intermediate between the Log- 

 gerhead and Green, of which he was fortunate enough to secure a pair 

 of fine specimens and which have been elsewhere described under the 

 name Colpochelys Kempii. Young turtles of the five kinds are eaten. 

 Green turtles are most sought. Old ones of the other kinds are not so 

 palatable. Bastards and Trunkbacks are least cared for. All kinds 

 are found in the same region during the entire year. "They eat sea- 

 weed, crawfish, conchs, fish, a kind of sponge called Loggerhead sponge, 

 and the Portuguese men-of-war." The latter, Pkysalia, are quite plenti- 

 ful in the winter, and turtles of all kinds are very fond of them and 

 are easily taken while eating. They shut their eyes to avoid the stings 

 of the men-of-war, constantly using the tlippers to brush them away 

 and can at such times be approached and taken into a boat without 

 pegging. On the turtle grounds there were numbers of specimens 

 of a large marine sponge, sometimes as much as 3 feet in diameter, and 

 with very little silicious framework, from which portions had been 

 torn. These were said to be Loggerhead sponges from which turtles 

 had been eating. A larger proportion of the food of the Green Turtles 



