J4 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Imbricated turtle Snake tortoise. 



is equally bad, but the shell of the hiuvksbill 

 serves for many valuable purposes. The sub- 

 stance of the other shells is thin and porous ; 

 that of the hawksbiil is firm, and when polished 

 is beautifully marbled, weighing from three to 

 six pounds. The shell consists of thirteen plates 

 or leaves, of which eight are Hat and five hollow ; 

 and are separated by putting a fire under the 

 shell when the flesh is taken out, and by being 

 scraped on both sides, they become beautifully 

 transparent. 



The substance that we call tortoise-shell is the 

 production of the imbricated turtle, a species 

 considerably allied to the loggerhead turtle, that 

 is found in the Asiatic and American seas, and 

 sometimes in the Mediterranean. The plates of 

 this species are far more strong, thick, and clear 

 than in any other, and these constitute the sole 

 value of the animal. They are semi-transparent, 

 beautifully variegated with different colors, and 

 when properly prepared and polished, are used 

 for a variety of ornamental purposes. They are 

 first softened by being steeped in boiling water, 

 after which they may be moulded into almost 

 any form. 



There are about eighteen other species inha- 

 biting the fresh waters. 



The snake tortoise is a native of America, and 

 when full grown weighs from fifteen to twenty 

 pounds. The shield is oval, and somewhat de- 

 pressed , the middle pieces, which are thirteen, 



