ORDER CHELONIA. 15 



The Green Turtle, Testudo Mydas, Lin. T. F'iridis. 

 Schn. Lacep, i, 1. 



Is distinguished by its greenish scales, thirteen in 

 number, which do not cover each other hke tiles j 

 and those of the middle range are pretty nearly in 

 regular hexagons. 



It is about six or seven feet long, and weighs as 

 much as seven or eight hundred pounds. Its flesh 

 furnishes an agreeable and salutary aliment to sailors 

 in all the latitudes of the torrid zone. It feeds in 

 large flocks on the alga at the bottom of the sea, and 

 approaches the mouths of rivers to respire. Its 

 eggs, which it deposits on the sand in the sun, are 

 very numerous, and are excellent eating. Its scales 

 are not employed. 



An approximating species ( Chel. Maculosa Nobis) 

 has the middle plates twice as long as they are broad, 

 and of a fawn-colour, marked with large black spots ; 

 and another (^Chel. Lachrymata Nobis), with plates 

 like the preceding, has the last one elevated into a 

 boss, and broad irregular black stripes on the fawn- 

 colours. Their scales are employed with utility. 



Imhricated Turtle. Testudo Imhricata. L. Lac. I. ii. 

 Schocpf. xvii. A. 



Smaller than the green turtle, with a more elongated 

 muzzle, and denticulated jaws. It has thirteen fawn- 

 coloured and brown scales, which cover each other 



