THE MAHOGANY-TREE. 203 



The hawksbill turtle, which gains that name from its 

 narrow, sharp, and curved beak, like that of a hawk, is also 

 called the imbricated turtle, because its scales overlap each 

 other at their extremities, as tiles are placed on the roofs of 

 houses. 



The green or edible turtle is of great size, weighing often 

 six hundred pounds, and being upwards of five feet in length. 

 It gains its name from its rich fat, which is of a green colour ; 

 and its flesh is considered very much superior to that of all its 

 relatives. 



The variety and kinds of Crustacea are almost numberless, 

 from the largest lobster to the smallest crab. Two species 

 the mangrove crab, and the white and black land crab are 

 found near the mouths of the rivers and in all the lagoons ; 

 while the curious soldier crabs, which seem as much at home 

 in one element as in the other, inhabit in vast numbers the 

 trees which lie rotting half submerged in the water. At 

 certain times they may be found making their way into the 

 interior, to return afterwards to the ocean. 



The neighbourhood of the ocean, and the rivers and lakes 

 of the interior, swarm with an endless variety of fish ; while 

 the huge manatee, or sea-cow, is found in most of the rivers. 



THE MAHOGANY-TREE. 



The most valuable production of the forests of this part of 

 the world is the mahogany-tree of Honduras, well-deserving, 

 from its magnificent foliage and vast size, to be called the 

 king of the forest. It is remarkably slow of growth, its in- 

 crease during half a century being scarcely perceptible. 



The life of the mahogany-cutter is wild in the extreme, 

 yet he carries on his occupation in a systematic manner. 



