THE TORTOISE. 339 



The turtle which are caught in the South Seas, and 

 Indian Ocean, may be divided into four different kinds, 

 which are distinguished by the following names : the 

 trunk-turtle, the logger-head, the hawksbill, and the 

 green-turtle. 



The trunk-turtle is generally larger than the rest ; the 

 flesh is rank, and considered unwholesome : the logger- 

 head, which derives its name from the disproportion of 

 that member, is never eaten but when other food can- 

 not be obtained ; and the hawksbill is only valued for its 

 shell, of which all our tortoise-shell combs, and differ- 

 ent trinkets are made ; but the green-turtle is consider- 

 ed as the most valuable, being at once a wholesome and 

 delicious treat: the flesh of this fish is held in such 

 high estimation, that it now absolutely furnishes us 

 with a lucrative branch of trade ; and ships are pro- 

 vided with conveniences for transporting them from 

 the West Indies, for the purpose of regaling the appe- 

 tites of the rich and great. 



When the female finds the time for laying her eggs 

 approaching, she resorts to some low and sandy part of 

 the shore, where she scratches a hole near two feet 

 deep, and lays eighty or ninety eggs at a time ; after 

 which she covers it up with so much dexterity, that it 

 is almost impossible to discover the place; but after 

 fifteen days she again returns, and deposits as many 

 eggs as before : and this plan is again repeated, though 

 she never returns after the third time: yet in less than 

 a month the heat produces young ones without the as- 

 sistance of maternal aid. 



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