86 LOGGERHEAD TURTLE. 



appearance it most resembles the Mydas or green 

 turtle, but is distinguished by the superior size of 

 the head, the proportional breadth of the shell, 

 and by its deeper and more variegated colours, 

 resembling those of the T. imbricata, or Hawks- 

 bill ; but its principal mark of distinction consists 

 in the number of dorsal segments or scutella of 

 the shell, which instead of thirteen, as in other 

 species, amount to fifteen ; the lateral as well as 

 the middle range containing five pieces, of which 

 the two superior are considerably smaller than the 

 rest. This number (except in cases of extraor- 

 dinary variety) is observed to be constant, and 

 therefore forms a far more certain specific cha- 

 racter than the number of claws on the fins, by 

 which Linnreus attempted to distinguish the ma- 

 rine tortoises. Each of the scutella in the middle 

 dorsal range is also extremely protuberant at the 

 end or tip, rising into a subacute prominence, and 

 thus forming a row of tubercles along the back of 

 the shield. The fore feet are very large and long : 

 the hind feet much shorter, though broad. This 

 animal inhabits the same seas with the green turtle, 

 but is also diffused into very remote latitudes, 

 being often found in the Mediterranean, and in 

 particular about the coasts of Italy and Sicily. 

 Considered in a commercial view, it is of little or 

 no value ; the flesh being coarse and rank, and the 

 lamina? or plates of the shell too thin for general 

 use. It is said, however, to afford a good quan- 

 tity of oil, which may be used for lamps, &c. 

 The Loggerhead Turtle is a very strong and fierce 



