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The two following Species are Marine Tortoises, or, 

 as they are usually denominated. Turtles, 



THE GREEN TURTLE*. 



This species is found in great quantities on the 

 coasts of all the islands and continents on the Torrid 

 Zone, both in the old and new worlds. The shoals 

 which surround these islands, and border the whole 

 coasts of these continents, produce vast quantities of 

 algae, and other marine plants, which, though co- 

 vered by the water, are near enough to the surface to 

 be readily seen by the naked eye, during calm wea- 

 ther. Amid these submarine pastures, a number 

 of marine animals are found ; and, among them, 

 prodigious multitudes of Turtles. In these mea- 

 dows, as they may be called, the Green Turtle is 

 often seen, in vast numbers, feeding quietly 1 on the 

 plants which they producef . 



As the Turtles find a constant abundance of 

 food, on the coasts which they frequent, they have 

 no occasion to quarrel with animals of their own 

 kind for that which is afforded in such plenty to 

 them all. Being able, like the other species of 

 Amphibia, to live even for many months without 



♦Synonyms. Tejtudo Mydas. Linn. Common Green Turtle. 

 Common Turtle. Esculent Turtle. Green Turtle. Sha<w.-~—~ 

 Shaw's Gen. ZooL -vol. 3. tab, 22, 



+ La Cepede, i. 80. 



