TORTOISES AND TURTLES 



163 



have been recorded measuring as much as 8 feet in total length and weighing over 1,600 Ibs. 

 Its flesh is not only unfit for food, but is reported to be of a poisonous character. The coasts 

 of Florida and Brazil are among the areas where the leathery turtle is met with in the 

 greatest abundance. 



The more ordinary method of capturing turtle for the market or to supply the deficiencies 

 of the larder aboard ship in tropical climates is to land at night, preferably when the moon 

 is full, on the islands to which the females are in the habit of repairing to deposit their eggs. 

 This function is invariably discharged during the night hours, and unless the moon is up the 

 presence of the reptiles is not -easily determined. Time is generally given for the turtle to 

 excavate its sand-burrow and lay its eggs, usually over a hundred in number, the proper 



' 



'tni F Z 5 1 



NEWLY HATCHED TURTLES ENJOYING THEIR FIRST SWIM 



The limbs at this early stage of their development are of an abnormal length 



moment for the capture being that when, the task accomplished, it sets forth to regain its 

 more accustomed element. The creature is then seized and turned suddenly upon its back, 

 where it is left to struggle and flounder helplessly, being perfectly incapable of righting itself! 

 while other captures are made. On outlying coral islands, such as those of the Lacepedes, off 

 the Western Australian coast, several dozen of the Chelonians may represent one good night's 

 haul, the choice of the fittest examples being left until the return of daylight. 



In many places turtles are pursued in the water and speared; while in some locations, 

 notably at Keeling Island, as recorded by Darwin, the animals are chased by the natives in 

 sailing-craft. One man steers the boat, the other one standing in the bows on the look-out 

 for turtle. A Chelonian being sighted, an exciting stern chase ensues, and on coming abreast 

 with the quarry the look-out man plunges into the water straight upon the turtle's back, and 



