Class III. CORIACEOUS TORTOISE. n 



perhaps the bones might have been taken out, 

 for in the figure given by Rondeletius, which 

 agrees in all other respects with this species, 

 there is an appearance of toes, and even nails. 

 The body is covered with a strong hide, exactly 

 resembling black leather, destitute of scales, 

 but marked with the appearance of them. The 

 back is divided into five longitudinal flutings or 

 grooves, with as many sharp but smooth risings. 

 This species is said to be extremely fat ; but 

 the flesh coarse and bad, according to the report 

 made by writers* who had an opportunity of 

 tasting them in the Mediterranean sea. I am 

 informed that the Carthusians will eat no other 

 than this species.f 



* Rondeletius. Bossuet. 



f The inconvenience felt by the person who eats it, as men- 

 tioned in the preceding page, must therefore have been accidental. 

 The French have given this species the name of Le Luth, from 

 the supposition that its shell was particularly used by the antients 

 in the construction of the lyre or harp, which was composed by 

 attaching the strings or wires to the circumference of the shell. 

 Ed. 



