OIL FRO^I turtles' EGIGS. 629 



the water — as they go round and round the nest several times 

 in succession to obliterate all traces. The sand, however, re- 

 mains so loose, that it gives way under foot, and thus the 

 Jndian easily discovers the spot. 



A body of turtles occupy several days in the operation ; one 

 party succeeding the other, night after night, till all have de- 

 })osited their eggs. As the season advances, however, those 

 who have arrived late, in their hurry to lay, appear to take 

 fewer precautions. So powerful is the effect of the sun on 

 these sand-banks, that a few days only are required to hatch 

 the young turtles. 



It has been so arranged by the Creator^ that they always 

 come forth at night, as the heat of the sun would kill them, 

 and they would be devoured by birds of prey and other ani- 

 mals on the watch to seize the dainty morsels. Although the 

 hole from which they emerge may be half a mile or more from 

 the river, instinct teaches them to go in a direct line to the 

 water. A number, however, are caught by their enemies ; 

 while enormous quantities of eggs are taken, — both to be used 

 as food, and for the sake of the oil they contain. 



A curious sight is witnessed from the top of the sentinel's 

 stage at daybreak. The sand appears blackened with the 

 multitudes of turtles — which, after depositing their eggs, are 

 waddling towards the river ; and often, where the margin of 

 the praia is steep, tumbling down the declivity into the water. 



OIL FROM turtles' EGGS. 



As soon as the eggs have been laid, the Indians, arriving in 

 their canoes from all directions, with their families, build reed 

 huts on the banks — some merely driving poles into the sand, 

 from which to swinij theii" hammocks. The canoes are then 



