FISHERY RESOURCES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 291 



is 84 centavos per kilogram for the white fin and 58 centavos for the 

 black, therefore, it is evident that the export valuation is very low and 

 that the real value probably would be somewhat over 100,000 pesos. The 

 price is subject to considerable variation. In 1909 the maximum price 

 paid for the entire yield was 3.19 pesos per kilogram including both white 

 and black fins. Chinese merchants in Zamboanga informed me that 

 the price for the first grade white fin sometimes reaches 6.58 pesos per 

 kilogram, but this is unusual. Almost the entire yield of Philippine 

 shark-fin is shipped to Singapore or Hongkong, and from these places 

 is disti'ibuted to various jDarts of China. 



In Manila the retail price of prepared shark-fin, as shown in Plate III, 

 fig. 2, is from 8 to 10 pesos per kilogram. 



In conclusion I wish again to call attention to the fact that the by- 

 products of the shark fishery are entirely wasted. If, in addition to 

 the fins, the liver was used to make fish oil, and the skin which is used 

 for scabbards for swords was also saved, the revenue derived from each 

 shark would be about doubled. 



III. PHILIPPINE SEA TURTLES AND TORTOISE-SHELL. 

 VARIETIES OF PHIliPPINE ItARINE TUSTLES. 



^ Sea turtles of large size find a congenial home in the warm waters of 

 the Philippines. Abundant schools of fish supply them with plenty of 

 food, and the hot sandy beaches of numerous, small, uninhabited islands 

 furnish them ideal nesting places; hence, as a result of these conditions, 

 the three recognized species of sea turtles are found throughout the 

 Archipelago. 



The marine turtles " are easily distinguished from all other kinds by 

 the fact that their limbs have become completely changed into paddles, 

 the fingers being entirely encased in a single skin, with one or two claws 

 only projecting. They swim swiftly in the sea, but are almost helpless 

 on the land, and if turned on their backs they can not regain their 

 normal position. 



Our most important sea turtle, popularly known as the hawksbill 

 turtle, is Chelone imbricata Linn. (Plate IV, figs. 3 and 4), which sup- 

 plies the tortoise-shell of commerce. It is easily recognized by the 

 fact that it has a hooked bill (Plate IV, fig. 4) and but 13 plates on the 

 back, which overlap like the shingles on a roof; in addition, there are 

 35 small plates which form the margin of the back. This turtle feeds 

 largely on fish, crabs, and mollusks, and when fuU-growTi is about 1 

 meter in length. 



° All members of the turtle family that live in the sea are called turtles ; 

 those living on the land only are termed tortoises ; and those living in fresh 

 water terrapins. 



