WONDERS OF THE DEEP 55 



hawks and sea birds of every description are lying in 

 wait to pounce upon it as soon as it makes its appear- 

 ance. It is said that very few out of eighty or a 

 hundred newly-hatched turtles safely pass through 

 this trying ordeal. Even when they reach the shore 

 their dangers are not over, for here shoals of sharks 

 and various kinds of predatory fish are prowling 

 round in search of the very toothsome morsel which 

 the young turtle will provide. 



Certain species of marine turtles attain a remark- 

 able size. Some specimens have measured nearly 

 eight feet in length, and weigh over sixteen hundred 

 pounds. 



Tarpon fishing is a delightful sport for American 

 and West Indian anglers. In fact, the tarpon is to 

 them what salmon and trout are to English and Scot- 

 tish anglers. The tarpon is a fish found near the 

 coast in warm American seas. It attains a length of 

 seven feet and weighs about two hundred pounds. 

 It is angled for with a rod and line. When caught, 

 it makes a desperate attempt to rid itself of the hook, 

 and has been known to leap right over the side of a 

 small boat. 



Crocodiles frequent these waters. When hunting 

 the crocodile, the natives lasso the snout and then 

 dive into the water and capture the creature. This, 

 as one can readily imagine, requires a good nerve 

 and exceptional dexterity. 



Schools of porpoises disporting themselves are a 

 common sight in these regions. Porpoises are generally 

 harpooned. The harpoon can either be tired from a 



