58. DERMOCHELYS 1001 
Distribution.—The tropical and subtropical waters of the 
Pacific and Indian oceans. One specimen was seen at Guay- 
mas, on the Gulf of California. One was captured near Los 
Coronados Islands, one was secured off Point Loma, San 
Diego County, two near Santa Barbara, and one near Pigeon 
Point, San Mateo County, California. The species thus 
occurs occasionally off our coast. 
Remarks.—Large specimens may weigh over 1500 
pounds. Mr. Belding stated that the one which he saw at 
Guaymas, Mexico, weighed 1,102 pounds. Its flesh, per- 
haps without reason, is not considered good for food. 
In January, 1905, a Leather-backed Turtle was caught 
near Santa Barbara. Upon its arrival in San Francisco this 
turtle proved to be a female measuring six feet and seven 
inches from the tip of its snout to the end of its tail. Its 
weight was given on the bill of lading as 800 pounds, but 
this may have been estimated rather than actually determin- 
ed. It was secured by Mr. G. W. Gourley and Albert F. 
Stafford, about January 2, in 25 fathoms of water in the 
open sea about two miles south of Santa Barbara. (Plate 
128). 
Mr. Gourley has given me the following glowing account 
of its capture : 
“SANTA BARBARA, CAL, 
“Jans 175-1908: 
“Dear Sir:—Y our note of 13th inst. received......... 
In regard to the details of the capture I will say that the 
turtle was first seen swimming on the surface about two miles 
off shore and to the southwestward of the Santa Barbara 
whistling buoy. I went after it (accompanied by a boy) 
in an 18 foot sailboat. I had a gaff with a hook on the end 
of it and bent about 200 feet of rope onto the handle. I 
