MARINE TURTLES AND TERRAPINS 661 



a superficial film of the shells, which may then be united by sufficient pressure. 



Tortoise shell has been highly prized for ornamental purposes since early times. 

 It was one of the treasures brought to Rome through Egypt from the Far East. 

 At present tortoise shell is used in the manufacture of valuable inlaid work, toilet 

 articles, knife handles, and various other ornaments. 



The horny shields of the carapace of various other turtles are sometimes used 

 as tortoise shell, but they are poor imitations as they are either opaque or soft 

 and leathery. 



The flesh of the hawksbill turtle is eaten to a slight extent, but it is not highly 

 regarded. 



The Loggerhead Turtle 



The loggerhead turtle (Thalassochelys caretta) is the common marine turtle 

 found along the Atlantic Coast from New York southward, and is abundant from 

 North Carolina to Florida. It is of little economic value; the eggs are commonly 

 eaten, but the meat is only occasionally used for food. The shields of the carapace 

 are opaque and therefore of little value. 



The larger loggerhead turtles have a shell, about 3.5 feet in length, which is 

 uniformly brown above and yellowish below. This turtle has 5 pairs of costal 

 shields and usually 23 marginal shields. The head is much larger and coarser 

 than that of the green turtle. A carnivorous reptile, the loggerhead turtle lives 

 chiefly on fish. 



Along the South Atlantic Coast and the West Coast of Florida this turtle comes 

 ashore at night during the early summer to lay its eggs. From 60 to 160 eggs 

 are laid in the "nest" at one time. These eggs, which are about half the size of 

 hen's eggs, are sold locally, but are rarely shipped. The eggs are found by probing 

 the turtle tracks in the sand until a nest is discovered. The egg shells are only 

 slightly calcareous and are therefore soft. Since the contents do not completely 

 fill the shells, there is always a dent in the egg. 



Loggerhead turtle meat is eaten by the fishermen along the coasts where it is 

 found, but only small quantities are shipped. 



Other Marine Turtles 



The Kemp's Gulf turtle (Thelassochelys colpochelys kempii) is found in the 

 Gulf of Mexico and on the Atlantic Coast as far north as North Carolina. Although 

 it is eaten along the coast where it is found, it has no commercial value. Many 

 persons consider the meat superior to that of the loggerhead and nearly as good 

 as that of the green turtle. 



The luth or leathery turtle is found along the coasts of Florida and Brazil. This 

 turtle derives its name from the absence of the horny shields which are found on 

 other marine turtles and from the leather-like skin which covers the bony carapace. 

 The leathery turtle attains great size; specimens have been found which were 

 about 8 feet long and weighed over 1,600 pounds. There is a large production of 

 these turtles in Florida. 



The Diamondback Terrapin 



The diamondback terrapin is undoubtedly the most valuable marine delicacy 

 marketed in the United States. Six-inch terrapins often sell for as much as $60 a 



