Tortoises and Turtles 



561 



have been recorded measuring as much as 8 feet in total length and weighing over 1,600 lbs. 

 Its flesh is not only unfit for food, but is reported to be of a poisonous character. The coasts 

 of Florida and Brazil are among the areas where the leathery turtle is met with in the 

 greatest abundance. 



The more ordinary method of capturing turtle for the market or to supply the deficiencies 

 of the larder aboard ship in tropical climates is to land at night, preferably when the moon 

 is full, on the islands to which the females are in the habit of repairing to deposit their eggs. 

 This function is invariably discharged during the night hours, and unless the moon is up the 

 presence of the reptiles is not easily determined. Time is generally given for the turtle to 

 excavate its sand-burrow and lay its eggs, usually over a hundred in number, the proper 



[Nil/o-nt-cn-Sca. 



Photohij ir Savilh-Keat, F.Z.S.] 



KEWLY HATCHED TURTLES ENJOYING THEIE FIRST SWIM. 

 The limbs at this early stage of their development are of an abnormal length. 



moment for the capture being that when, the task accomplished, it sets forth to regain its 

 more accustomed element. The creature is then seized and turned suddenly upon .ts b k 

 where it is left to struggle and flounder helplessly, being perfectly incapable of i ghtmg itselh 

 :-hile other captures a^e'made. On outlying coral islands, such as those of the La^ed^, ff 

 the Western Australian coast, several dozen of the Chelonians may represen one good night, 

 haul the choice of the fittest examples being left until the return of daylight. 



In manv places turtles are puJsued m the water and speared; ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^;^ 

 notably at Keeling Island, as recorded by Darwin, the animals ^^ ^^^^^^.^^^J^! ^^^out 

 sailing-craft. One man steers the boat, the other one standing m the bo^^s on the look-ou 

 for tfrtle. A Chelonian being sighted, an exciting stern chase ensues, and on coming abrea.t 

 with the quarry the look-out man plunges into the water straight upon the turtles back, and 



