156 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



submerged animal, and by midday about a score of full-grown turtles 

 had been shot. The net was now spread at one extremity of the 

 oval-shaped pool, its side resting on the bottom, while the floats 

 buoyed the other side up on the surface, the cords being held by two 

 Indians. The rest of the party now spread themselves round the 

 pool, beating the water with long poles, in order to drive the turtles 

 towards the centre. When they neared the net, the men moved 

 more quickly, beating and shouting with great vigour. The ends of 

 the net were then seized with vigorous hands, and dragged suddenly 

 forward, bringing them at the same time together, so as to enclose 

 all within a circle. Every man leapt into the enclosure, the boats 

 were brought up, and the captured turtles were thrown in. In this 

 manner about eighty were secured in twenty minutes. 



Among these were several male turtles, or cafietaris, as they are 

 called by the natives. They are much less numerous than the 

 females, smaller and more circular in shape : their flesh is con- 

 sidered unwholesome. 



On the 17 th of October, the day announced for the taboliero or 

 egg-digging, Mr. Bates made a last excursion in Senhor Cardoza's 

 company. Egg-collecting occupied four days. On the morning of 

 the 17th about 400 persons were assembled on the sand-bank; 

 each family had erected a rude temporary shed of poles and palm- 

 leaves to protect themselves from sun and rain. Large copper 

 kettles to prepare the oil, and hundreds of red earthenware jars, 

 were scattered about on the sands. The commandant commenced 

 by taking down the names of all masters of households, with the 

 number of persons each intended to employ ; he then exacted from 

 each a tax equal to fourpence a head towards defraying the expense 

 of the sentinels. This being paid, the whole were allowed to go to 

 the taboliero. By the end of the second day it was exhausted, and 

 each household had collected large mounds of eggs around their 

 temporary hut. 



Thalassians, or Sea Tortoises. 



The Turtles or Sea Tortoises are distinguished from others by a 

 comparatively flat carapace, long members, the extremities of which 

 terminate in broad paddles, the anterior much longer than the 

 posterior ones ; the toes, though formed of distinct pieces, can only 

 act together, thus constituting paddles admirably arranged for swim- 

 ming. Their carapace, besides being flat, is indented and elongated 

 in front, and contracted behind, being disposed in such a manner 

 that the head and feet can be completely hidden. 



