58. DERMOCHELYS 



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 ofiF our coast. 



Remarks. — Large specimens may weigh over 1500 

 pounds. Mr. fielding 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. 

 StaflFord, 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, CAI,., 



"Jan. 17, 190^ 



^'■Dear Sir: — Your 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 



