47-2 



CHELONIANS. 



pace by presenting its convex surface to a glowing fire. The ap- 

 plication of boiling water to the shell when removed, so mollifies 

 it that it may be acted on like a soft mass, and by pressure in 

 metallic moulds, made to assume a great variety of forms. A 

 single Turtle yields about ten or twelve pounds of Tortoise 

 Shell. When the stripped animal is set at liberty, the shell 

 grows again ; and hence it sometimes happens that in after 

 years, the stripped Turtle is recaptured, and subjected to a sec- 

 ond ordeal, but the shell in that case obtained is very thin. The 

 Tortoise Shell Turtle never reaches so large a size as the Green 

 or Esculent Turtle. Sometimes it is called the Hawk's-bill Tur- 

 tle. (See Chart.) It is found in the warmer latitudes of the 

 seas and coasts of this continent, and also in the seas of Asia. 



Com. Wilkes, in his " Exploring Expedition," states that the 

 chiefs in the Fejee Islands, keep Tortoise Shell Turtles in pens. 

 Tortoise Shell " sometimes sells in Manilla for from two to three 

 thousand dollars the picul, (one hundred and thirty-three English 

 pounds.") 



The LOGGERHEAD TURTLE, C. caretta, or Thalassoclielys, (Gr. 

 Sea-Turtle,) Caouana, differs from the tortoise shell Turtle, in 

 having thirteen pairs of scales, and these not imbricated. The 

 flesh is not much valued, though wholesome. The Loggerhead 

 Turtle feeds upon fish and mollusks. It yields abundance of 

 oil, for which alone it is sought. This species is numerous in 

 the Mediterranean. 



SECOND FAMILY. Sphargida, (from Gr. cr^a^ayew, spharageo, to 

 roar loudly.) 



These Sea-Turtles have the bony structure of the carapace 

 covered with a thick layer of leathery skin, instead of plates or 

 scales ; the form may be compared to a flattened cone, with an- 

 gular sides ; the skeleton is light, and the shield narrow and 

 small, compared with the size of the animal ; in the full grown 

 Turtle, the skin is quite smooth ; but in the young is tubercu- 

 lous. The paddles are without any distinct nails. These Tur- 

 tles are the largest in size and lay a great number of eggs. 

 Only one species is as yet recognized. 



The LEATHERY TURTLE, Sphargis coriacea, (Lat. leathery.) 

 This has jaws of immense strength, the lower one being sharp 

 edged, and turning up at a point which when the jaws are closed 

 is received into a central indentation or notch of the upper jaw, 

 The carapace is heart-shaped and has seven longitudinal ridges 

 at equal distances from each other. (See Chart.) The eyes 



