194 AQUATIC TORTOISES. 



ciiAPXViL water tortoise, •with webbed feet, a very flat licad, & 

 deep groove between the e^es, and an upper shell com- 

 posed of five central, eight lateral, and twenty-four 

 marginal scutella or plates. The colour is dark-gray 

 above and orange beneath. When of full size it weighs 

 from forty to fifty pounds. The eggs are much larger 

 than those of a pigeon, and are covered with a calcareous 

 crust. 

 nic terckav '^^^^ terekay, the species which occurs above the 

 cataracts, is much smaller. It has the same number of 

 dorsal plates, but the colour is olive-green, with two 

 spots of red mixed with yellow on the toj) of the head, 

 and a prickly appendage under the chin. The eggs 

 have an agreeable taste, and are much sought after, but 

 are not deposited in masses like those of the tortuga. 

 This variety is found below the cataracts as well as in 

 the Aj)ure, the Urituco, the Guarico, and the small 

 rivers of the Llanos of Caraccas. 

 PcposiUon of The period at which the arrau deposites its eggs is when 

 egss- the river is lowest. About the beginning of February 



these creatures issue from the water and warm them- 

 selves on the beach, remaining there a great part of the 

 day. Early in the month of Marcli they assemble on 

 the islands where they breed, when thousands are to b* 

 seen ranged in files along the shores. Tlie Indians place 

 Season of sentinels at certain distances, to prevent them from being 

 incubation, disturbed, and tlie people who pass in boats are told to 

 keep in the middle of the river. The laying of tlie eggs 

 begins soon after sunset, and is continued throughout the 

 niglit. The animal digs a hole three feet in diameter 

 and two in depth, with its hind feet, which are very 

 long and furnislied with crooked claws. So pressing is 

 the desire whicli it feels to get rid of its burden, that 

 great confusion prevails, and an immense number of 

 eggs is broken. Some of tlie tortoises are surprised by 

 day before tiiey have finished the operation, and, be- 

 coming insensible to danger, continue to work with the 

 greatest diliirencc even in the presence of the fishers. 

 TJie Indians assemble about the beginning of April, 



