16 CLASS REPTILIA. 



like tiles. The flesh of this species is disagreeable 

 and unwholesome ; but the eggs are very delicate, 

 and it furnishes the finest tortoise-shell which is 

 employed in the art. It is found in the seas of 

 warm climates. 



There are also two species approximating to this, 

 Chel. Virgata nobis — Bruce, Abyss, pi. 42— which 

 has the plates less elevated; those of the middle 

 equal, but with sharper lateral angles, and black and 

 radiated streaks on its scales : — and Chel. radiata, 

 Schoepf. xvi. B., which does not differ from the pre- 

 ceding but in having the last of its middle plates 

 broader. It is probably only a variety. 



Loggerhead Turtle. Test. Caretta. Gen. Schoepf. 



pi. xvi. 



Is more or less brown or red, and has fifteen scales, 

 the middle ones of which are raised in ridges, espe- 

 cially towards their extremity. The point of the 

 upper bill is crooked, and the fore-feet are longer 

 and more narrow than in the preceding species, and 

 preserve, too, more marked claws. It inhabits many 

 seas, and even the Mediterranean, and lives on shell 

 fish. Its flesh is bad, and the scales in no estimation ; 

 but it furnishes a good oil for burning. 



Merrem has recently distinguished, under the 

 name of Sphargis, the Chelonians whose shell is not 

 scaly, but covered with a sort of leather only.* 



* Fleming names them Couiitdo ; M. Lesiicuv, Dbrmochelis. 



