TORTOISES 



251 



The Edible or Green Turtle (Chelone viridis) inhabits all the seas 

 of the tropical and temperate zones, and attains to a weight of nearly 

 1,000 pounds. It is everywhere actively pursued on account of its eggs 

 and excellent flesh (turtle soup). 



The Hawk-Bill Turtle (C. imbricata) is subjected to even keener 

 persecution, as the horny plates of its carapace furnish the best tortoise- 



HAWK-.BILL TURTLES IN PURSUIT OF FISH. 

 (The larger animal about one-twelfth natural size.) 



shell. These plates overlap each other like roof-tiles, and are of a brown 

 ground colour variegated with yellow. In boiling water they can be 

 welded into any shape, which they retain after cooling. The employ- 

 ment of tortoiseshell for combs and other ornamental objects is well 

 known. The animal attains to a length of over 3 feet, and inhabits 

 principally the seas between the two tropics. 



