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EPISODES 



373 



vessel. Slowly advancing landward, their heads alone 

 above the water, are observed the heavily laden Turtles, 

 anxious to deposit their eggs in the well-known sands. 

 On the surface of the gently rippling stream, I dimly see 

 their broad forn-'s, as they toil along, while at intervals 

 may be heard their hurried breathings, indicative of sus- 

 picion and fear. The moon with her silvery light now 

 illumines the scene, and the Turtle, having landed, slowly 

 and laboriously drags her heavy body over the sand, her 

 "flippers" being better adapted for motion in the water 

 than on sh'^re. Up the slope, however, she works her 

 way; and see how industriously she removes the sand be- 

 neath her, casting it out qn either side. Layer after layer 

 she deposits her eggs, arranging them in the most careful 

 manner, and with her hind paddles brings the sand over 

 them. The business is accomplished, the spot is covered 

 over, and with a joyful heart the Turtle swiftly retires 

 towards the shore, and launches into the deep. 



But the Tortugas are not the only breeding places of 

 the Turtles ; these animals, on the contrary, frequent many 

 other Keys, as well as various parts of the coast of the 

 mainland. There are four different species, which are 

 known by the names of the Green Turtle, the Hawk-billed 

 Turtle, the Logger-head Turtle, and the Trunk Turtle. 

 The first is considered the best as an article of food, in 

 which capacity it is well known to most epicures. It ap- 

 proaches the shores, and enters the bays, inlets, and rivers, 

 early in the month of April, after having spent the winter 

 in the deep waters. It deposits its eggs in convenient 

 places, at two different times in May, and once again in 

 June. The first deposit is the largest, and the last the 

 least, the total quantity being, at an average, about two 

 hundred and forty. The Hawk-billed Turtle, whose shell 

 is so valuable as an article of commerce, being used for 

 various purposes in the arts, is the next with respect to 

 the quality of its flesh. It resorts to the outer Keys only, 



