AT ASCENSION ISLAND. 345 



Some interesting details respecting turtles and turtle- 

 catching at the Isle of Ascension are given by Sir J. 

 E. Alexander, and though they have been frequently 

 quoted, they are sufficiently fresh and important to justify 

 us in reproducing them here. Two large basins are 

 formed on the shore, to which the sea obtains entrance 

 through a breakwater of large stones. Here they are 

 kept until required for exportation ; and between the 

 ponds a wooden framework is erected on which they are 

 slaughtered, " by suspending them by the hind flippers, 

 and then cutting their throats," in more porcorum. 

 As many as three hundred of these creatures, of four 

 and five hundred pounds weight each, may be seen here 

 at one time ; " a sight to set an alderman mad with 

 delight." 



In the hot months of January, February, March, and 

 April, the females land at night ; and waddling over the 

 sands in the various bays of the island far above high- 

 water mark, for by a pole in the ponds it is shown 

 that the tide rises only two feet, they scrape up, by 

 alternate scoops of their flippers, a hole deep enough to 

 cover their bodies. Into this they get, "sighing heavily," 

 and deposit from one hundred and fifty to two hundred 

 eggs ; cover them up ; leave them to the sun to hatch ; 

 and then waddle again towards the sea. Two stout 

 hands are, meanwhile, on the look-out, watching the 

 movements of the unfortunate turtle ; and running up to 

 her after the completion of her task, one seizes a fore 

 flipper, and dexterously shoves it under her belly, to 

 serve as a purchase ; while the other, avoiding a stroke 

 which might lame him, cants the turtle over on her back, 

 where she lies helpless. From fifteen to thirty were thus 



