348 TORTOISES AND TURTLES 



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 resort'ed 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 Grovernment, which allows it to be openly practised. 

 " The creaturesj" says Sir Emerson Tennent, " are to be seen in 

 the market-place undergoing this frightful mutilation, the plas- 

 tron 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 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 ofi", 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 di- 

 vested 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 tuber- 

 culated 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 voices 

 merely hissing or blowing when irritated or seized, the coriaceous 

 turtle, when taken in a net or seriously wounded, utters lou4 



