mo THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



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 frightful 

 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 he 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 contor- 

 tions 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 co'dacea), of a more elon- 

 gated 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 greatest size of all the 

 marine chelonians, some having been taken above eight feet in 

 length, and weighing no less than 1,600 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 

 Coriaceous turtle, when taken in a net or seriously wounded. 



