644 



THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



shallow that, although at first a turtle quickly dives out of sight, yet in a canoe, or 

 boat under sail, the pursuers, after no very long chase, come up to it. A man, stand- 

 ing ready in the bows, at this moment dashes through the water upon the turtle's 

 back ; then clinging with both hands by the shell of the neck, he is carried away till 

 the animal becomes exhausted and is secured. It was quite an interesting chase to 

 see the two boats thu" doubling about, and the men dashing into the water trying to 

 seize their prey." 



The Green turtle {Chelonia inidas), which has been known to attain a length of 

 seven feet, and a weight of 900 lbs., is most prized for its flesh ; but the Ilawksbill 

 ( Chelonia itnbricata) , which hardly reaches one third of the size, is of far greater com- 

 mercial value, tlie plates of its shell being stronger, thicker, and clearer than those of 

 any other species. It is caught all over the tropical seas, but principally near the 

 IMoluccas, the West Indian and the Fiji Islands, where it is preserved in pens by the 

 chiefs, who have a barbarous way of removing the valuable part of the shell from the 

 living animal. A burning brand is held close to the outer shell, until it curls up and 

 separates a little from that beneath. Into the gap thus formed a small wooden wedge 

 is then inserted, by which the whole is easily removed from the back. When stripped, 

 the animal is again put into the pen, where it has full time for the growth of a new 

 ■shell — for though the operation appears to give great pain, it is not fatal. 



A similar cruel method of removing the tortoise's shell by heat is resorted to in 

 Ceylon ; but the mode in which the flesh of the edible turtle is sold piecemeal, while 

 it is still alive, by the fishermen of that island, is still more repulsive, and a disgrace 

 to the Colonial Government, which allows it to be openly practised. " The creatures," 

 says Sir Emerson Tennent, " are to be seen in the market-place undergoing this fright- 

 ful mutilation, the plastron and its integuments having been previously removed, and 

 the animal thrown on its back, so as to display all the motions of the heart, viscera, 

 and lungs. A broad knife, from twelve to eighteen inches in length, is first inserted 

 at the left side, and the women, who are generally the operators, introduce one hand 

 to scoop out the blood, which oozes slowly. The blade is next passed round till the 

 lower shell is detached and placed to one side, and the internal organs exposed in full 

 action. Each customer, as ho applies, is served with any part selected, which is cut 

 off as ordered, and sold by weight. Each of the fins is thus successively removed, 

 with portions of the fat and flesh, the turtle showing by its contortions that each act 

 of severance is productive of agony. In this state it lies for hours writhing in the 

 sun, the heart and head being usually the last pieces selected ; and till the latter is 

 cut off, the snapping of the mouth, and the opening and closing of the eyes, show that 

 life is still inherent, even when the shell has been nearly divested of its contents." 



The Coriaceous turtle {Sphargis coriacea), of a more elongated form than the other 

 species, and whose outer covering, marked along its whole length by seven distinct, 

 prominent, and tuberculated ridges, is not of a horny substance, but resembles strong 

 leather, grows to the greate&o size of all the marine chelonians, some having been taken 

 above eight feet in length, and weijrhing no less than 1,GOO lbs., so that even the 

 crocodile can hardly be compared to it in bulk. While the land-tortoises can scarcely 

 be said to have a voice, merely hissing or blowing when irritated or seized, the coria- 

 ceous turtle, when taken in a net or seriously wounded, utters loud shrieks or cries 

 which may be heard at a considerable distance. 



