THE TURTLES OF SAND-KEY ISLAND. 213 



seven; for we counted them before quitting the 

 island. These eggs, which were as large as hens' 

 eggs, were quite round and covered only with a 

 tough white skin. 



This was a big-headed turtle, and Downing, who 

 knew how to manage with each kind, darted on her 

 suddenly before she had completed her task. He 

 afterwards explained to me that, until that was 

 accomplished, she was incapable of resistance. 



" Help me ! " he cried, as he placed himself in 

 front of the turtle, and got his shoulder behind one 

 of the fore-fins, raising it slightly and pushing with 

 all his strength, and then, with a little aid and a 

 sudden effort, he got it on its back. As this turtle 

 was a very large one and began to struggle violently. 

 Downing deemed it prudent to tie up her fins in 

 such a way that it was impossible for her to move. 



This done, Ave proceeded to make other captures, 

 and as the sport grew very amusing, we went on as 

 long as any turtles presented themselves to be 

 turned. When all was over, the wreckers, Downing, 

 and his two men, had caught fifty-six turtles in about 

 two hours and a-half. 



As soon as they had stowed away the prey in the 

 bottoms of the boats, they began to hunt for eggs. 

 Armed with sticks or iron spikes, the egg-hunters 

 spread themselves over the sand, sounding it wher- 

 ever there were any traces of the turtles. It is 

 not, however, very easy to discover the exact spots, 



