282 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



weight of a man on its back. He is now quite helpless, as he 

 has no idea of getting rid of his rider except by diving, and 

 he allows himself to be steered in any direction his captors 

 may choose. Thus he is soon brought alongside the canoe, 

 and hoisted into it without resistance. This seems a very 

 simple bit of sport, but it requires great care. A turtle in 

 water can cut a naked man very dangerously with his flippers, 

 and he must never be taken\hold*of by his tail. If he is, he 

 will immediately fold his tail to his body, whereby he will 

 hold the man's hand as tight as though it were in a vice, and 

 drag him down to the bottom of the sea. Turtles never visit 

 the inside lagoons of islands, unless the entrance is wide and 

 the tide flows freely. They do not like stagnant or warm 

 water, but delight in the fresh spray that dashes on an outer 

 reef. They relish beche-de-mer as much as a Chinaman, and in 

 search of these slugs they will frequent the shallow water at 

 the top of the reef. At these times, wherever the male or 

 bull turtle is found, the female is not far away. 



By far the greater number of turtle are taken on shore on 

 low sandy beaches (as at Vu-ni-wai Levu), where they resort 

 to lay their eggs during the night. Full moon is always a 

 favourite time with them. The female goes on shore, and the 

 male lies out beyond the breakers and watches for his mate. 

 She lands with the high-tide, and returns to sea with the next 

 flood, so she remains ashore several hours. If overtaken by 

 daylight before high wafer, she will go out to the reef and lie 

 still there waiting for the tide to come in. Thus detained, 

 they are often captured by the natives, as they never attempt 

 to move, even when trodden upon by men searching for other 

 fish. 



When the turtle lands to lay, she goes well up the beach, 

 above high-water mark, frequently under the shadow of trees, 



