l6 THE GREEN TURTLE. 



which they suspect danger, they dive to the bot- 

 tom for security*. 



The strength of this animal is so great as to 

 allow it to move along with as many men on its 

 back as can stand there. It sleeps upon its back 

 on the surface of the water. — The legs are so far 

 fin-shaped as to be of little other use than to swim 

 with. 



The inhabitants of the Bahama islands are pecu- 

 liarly dexterous in catching the Turtles. In the 

 month of April, they go in their boats to the coasts 

 of Cuba, and some of the neighbouring islands, 

 where, in the evenings and moonlight nights, they 

 watch the going and returning of the animals to 

 and from the shore, where they lay their eggs. 

 They turn them on their backs on the land, and 

 then leave them to perform the same operation on 

 as many others as they can meet j for, when once 

 turned, they are unable again to get on their feet. 

 Many are taken in the sea, at some distance from 

 the shore : these are struck with a kind of spear, 

 whose shaft is about four yards in length. For this 

 work two men usually set out in a small light boat 

 or canoe, one to paddle it gently along and steer, 

 and the other to stand at the head with his weapon. 

 Sometimes the Turtles are discovered swimming 

 with their head and back out of water, but most 

 commonly lying at the bottom where it is a fathom 



La Ccpide, 87. 28 c 



