MARINE TURTLES. 1 



Mediterranean turtle most large and least useful. 



with an account of the marine tortoises, which 

 may more justly be looked upon as amphibious, 

 and which are usually denominated turtles. 



MARINE TURTLES. 



THE marine turtles are distinguished from the 

 others by their large and long fin-shaped feet, 

 in which are inclosed the bones of the toes ; the 

 first and second only of each foot having visible 

 or projecting claws. The shield, as in the others, 

 consists of a strong bony covering, in which are 

 embedded the ribs ; in one or two instances this 

 is much thicker and more strong than that of 

 land tortoises. They are also found much larger; 

 the sea, indeed, is possessed of the property of 

 increasing the magnitude of animals congenial 

 to that element. The great Mediterranean tur- 

 tle is the largest of the kind which we know of, 

 but its utility is by no means proportioned to its 

 size; it is so far unfit for food, that it is even 

 said to be poisonous ; and the shell, which re- 

 sembles an hide, is unfit for any useful purpose. 

 One of these was caught in 1729* at the mouth 

 of the Loire, nearly eight feet in length and two 

 over, furnished with teeth in each jaw, and a tail 

 quite disengaged from the body, fifteen inches in 

 length. Some others of this species have been 

 since taken upon our coasts, that weighed from 

 seven to eight hundred weight; but an attempt 



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