THE CARET, OR HAWKS-BILL TURTLE. 23 



as nearly unknown on the Atlantic coast. The only specimen then known to have been seen 

 and captured near the American Atlantic shores, was an enormous one now preserved in the 

 Boston Museum. It was captured off the mouth of Boston harbor. Its length was eight feet and 

 one inch. In color, jet-black. This was purchased at a large price, and it continues to occupy 

 the same place as one of the most notable of the curiosities of the Museum. For many years 

 this species remained unknown on our shores, excepting as represented by these two speci- 

 mens. Somewhat later examples came to be more numerous. At the present time it is not 

 an unusual thing to see a Leathery Tortoise when, in summer, cruising some distance off shore. 

 We saw several in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, while resident on the Florida Reef. 

 Those we have examined were of a dense black color and rather shiny, like the skin of a por- 

 poise. This is probably the most bulky of living Turtles. The enormous fossil Turtle which 

 was found in one of the Western Territories is allied to the present species. 



Another well-known species of Turtle deserves a passing notice. This is the Logger- 

 head Turtle, or Caouane (Thalassochelys caretta), sometimes called the Rhinoceros 

 Turtle. 



This fine species has a wide range of locality, being found in the most warm seas. It is 

 extremely powerful, fierce, and voracious, biting with great force, and cutting hard substances 

 without much difficulty. According to Catesby. ' : the Loggerhead Turtles are the boldest and 

 most voracious of all other Turtles. Their flesh is rank and little sought for, which occasions 

 them to be more numerous than any other kind. They range the ocean over, an instance of 

 which, among many others that I have known, happened in latitude 30° north, when our boat 

 was hoisted out, and a Loggerhead Turtle struck, as it was sleeping on the surface of the 

 water. 



"This, by our reckoning, appeared to be midway between the Azores and the Bahama 

 Islands, either of which places being the nearest land it could have come from, or that they 

 are known to frequent, there being none on the north continent of America farther north than 

 Florida. It being amphibious, and yet at so great a distance from land in the breeding-time, 

 makes it the more remarkable. They feed mostly on shell-fish, the great strength of their 

 beaks enabling them to break very large shells." Several other species belong to the same 

 genus. 



In general appearance this species is not unlike the common Green Turtle, which will 

 presently be described, but the shell is broader, deeper colored, and has two more plates on 

 the back. The plates along the upper part of the back are six-sided, rather square, and 

 keeled. There are two claws on each foot. 



The Loggerhead Turtle is so abundant in the waters about the Dry Tortugas, on the 

 Florida. Reef, that one of the principal islands or keys is named from it. This creature 

 attains a large size ; some measuring quite five feet in length. It is so named from the great 

 comparative size of its head. Considerable difference is seen between this and the Green 

 Turtle in this respect. 



The Loggerheads make their appearance in the shoal waters near the keys in early 

 summer. On the first moonlight night they are ready to go on shore to deposit their eggs. 

 On these occasions people living near, mostly wreckers and fishermen, resort to the region and 

 watch for the creatures, to secure their eggs first, and then the carcases. Before leaving the 

 water the reptiles are exceedingly shy and cautious, but once fairly at work digging holes 

 above the high-water mark, they heed nothing until the eggs are all deposited. So intent 

 are they on this business it is a common practice to sit on the creatures' shell and take the 

 eggs as they are deposited. The patient reptiles then carefully draw the sand over the empty 

 hole with as much care as if the complement of eggs was yet there. This accomplished, they 

 hurry off to sea again. 



The well-known Caret, or Hawk's-bill Turtle {EretmocJielys), so called from the 

 formation of the mouth, is a native of the warm American and Indian seas, and is common in 

 many of the islands of those oceans, 



