6 CATECHISM OF 



/ 



Q. I* this change easily effected? 



A. Not always ; it is seldom that the animal 

 meets with one that exactly suits till after many 

 trials, and, perhaps, many combats ; for there is 

 often a severe contest between two of them for a 

 shell for which they are rivals. 



Q. What shell fish are of the Tortoise kind. 



A. Of the animals of this kind, improperly de- 

 nominated fish, the following are the principal 

 1. Testudo Coriacea; 2. T. My das; 3. T. Ca- 

 retta ; 4. T. Imbricata. 



Q. What is the Coriacea ? 



A. Testudo Coriacea, or Coriaceous Turtle, is a 

 very large species, growing to the length of eight 

 feet, and sometimes weighing a thousand pounds. 

 It is of a longer form than the rest of its tribe, and 

 the shell is not horny, but resembling strong lea- 

 ther. A specimen was taken in 1729, upwards of 

 seven feet long ; it uttered a most hideous noise, 

 its mouth at the same time, foaming with rage 

 and exhaling a noisome vapour. 



Q. What is the Mydas 



A. Testudo Mydas, or the Green Turtle, is that 

 species so much in request among epicures ; it is 

 so called because its fat is of a greenish tinge ; it 

 is a large species, some individuals weighing five 

 hundred pounds. Forty sloops are sent out from 

 Port" Royal alone for this fishery. 



Port Royal, a town in Jamaica. 



