194 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



In the West Indies, tlie turtle is served in a great 

 variety of ways. They make it into soup, they 

 roast it, stew it, make it into ragout, fricassee, or 

 patties. Its fat, intestines, fins, and even its bones, 

 are good to eat. The Americans, by way of apply- 

 ing to it the highest eulogy possible, call it the 

 sea-pig. Not a very pretty compliment, surely ! 



The flesh of the turtle is not only agreeable to 

 the palate, but it is also very easy of digestion. A 

 large quantity of it may be devoured without the 

 slightest inconvenience. In Martinique, turtles are 

 sold at about a shilling per pound, and are conse- 

 quently eagerly sought after. About Lent, the vessels 

 which engage in this fishery quit the port of St. 

 Pierre to fish for turtles, and frequently return with 

 large cargoes. 



The island of Hetera, one of the Bahamas, and 

 the furthest from the coast, is most celebrated for 

 its turtle-fishery. There are also Caiman Island, 

 on the extreme end of Florida ; and Marguerite 

 Island, on the Venezuelan coast. As, however, I can 

 only pretend to describe what I have witnessed 

 myself, I shall only mention the Island of Hetera, 

 where, fifteen years ago, I took part in a marvellous 

 adventure of turtle-fishing, which I shall now 

 narrate. 



A few words, however, on the general subject of 

 the Chelonia, before I come to my story. Full turtles 

 (or as they are also called, green turtles) weigh up to 



