188 SHREWSBURY. 



moments, remaining quiet and still, — that is, as still 

 as tlie musquitoes will permit, for they are tolerably 

 regnant in such a situation, ■ — we soon see here and 

 there the duckweed open, and bubbles of air ascend : 

 presently a little black head projects, so little that 

 you will hardly see it if you are not intently watch- 

 ing; but if you watch you will observe the little 

 creatures crawl up on their logs again, and sit as 

 before. 



The flesh of these animals is esteemed superior 

 even to that of the famed Green Turtle, by those 

 who have abundant opportunities for judging of 

 both ; hence many are caught for the table. The 

 pond is, however, deep and boggy ; and recourse is 

 had to the trap. As 1 entrapped two or three here 

 myself, I will describe the mode of procedure. A 

 long pole is prepared, such as the stem of a young 

 tree in the contiguous forest, to one end of which is at- 

 tached a flat piece of wood as a float. A common rat- 

 gin is likewise lashed to the end of the pole, and baited 

 with a piece of flesh. A small bird with the feathers 

 singed in the fire is reckoned a very successful bait, its 

 odour attracting the Turtles, The extremity of the 

 pole thus armed is carefully pushed out into the deep 

 water, and the other end is fastened with a line to 

 some object on shore. The weight of the trap sinks 

 the pole, but the float keeps it within a few inches of 

 the surface. The attraction soon becomes apparent ; 

 a loud snap announces that the iron jaws have 

 closed, and a struggle in the water tells us that a 

 prisoner is taken. We haul upon the line, and per- 

 ceive an unfortunate Turtle, caught either by the 



