TURTLES 



283 



That beautiful substance commonly called "tortoise-shell", 

 which is so largely used for making combs, the handles of pocket- 

 knives, and other fancy articles, is the horny covering of the bony 

 shell of the turtle. 



These plates are generally taken from the Hawksbill Turtle, 

 in which they are very large, and of fine quality. Each turtle 



Green Turtle 



yields thirteen. When they are first stripped off the plates are 

 dry and brittle, and of no use at all for purposes of commerce. 

 But after they have been steeped in boiling water they become 

 quite soft, and can then be cleaned, and pressed flat between blocks 

 of wood. If they are not thick enough, two or more plates can 

 be firmly fastened together by laying a heavy weight upon them 

 while they are still hot and wet. And by applying suitable 

 pressure they can be moulded into any required shape. 



Some turtles are very good to eat. From the flesh of the 

 Green Turtle, for instance, the famous "turtle-soup" is made. 

 This turtle grows to a very large size, for specimens have often 

 been found measuring more than four feet in length, and nearly 



