44 TORTOISES, TERRAPINS, AND TURTLES 



I never shall forget those I encountered in central In- 

 diana, when fishing with hook and line. The provoking Soft- 

 Shells would persist in swallowing hooks that were not baited 

 for them, and the difficulties we had in cutting off their 

 leathery heads and dissecting out our hooks tried our patience 

 very sorely. It was not until many years later that we 

 squared accounts with this species. At Miami, Florida, fine 

 large specimens were fried in batter, and eaten with great 

 relish. When properly cooked, the shell of this reptile is 

 tender and desirable. 



A large specimen has a shell 16 inches long by 14 inches 

 wide, and weighs from 20 to 30 pounds. The upper surface 

 is olive-brown mottled with black, and underneath is clear 

 white. On account of its widely palmated feet, these "tur- 

 tles" are the most active swimmers of all the fresh-water 

 terrapins and turtles. In North America this Family is rep- 

 resented by five species. 



THE SEA TURTLES 



The sea is so vast, it is but natural that we should look 

 to it for the largest species of Chelonians. There is one 

 character by which any one can recognize a sea turtle, any- 

 where. The front limbs are developed as long, flat, triangu- 

 lar flippers, without separate toes and claws, like the flippers 

 of a sea-lion. 



Nearly all the sea-going Turtles are large, and one species 

 is the largest of all living Chelonians. Without exception, all 

 are habitants of tropical waters; but occasionally an indi- 

 vidual is lulled into fancied security, and borne northward in 



