164 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



out claws. Seven longitudinal grooves extend from the neck to the 

 tail, which reminds one of the seven chords of the ancient lyre. 

 Only one species is known. It is found in the Mediterranean and 

 Atlantic Ocean, and is, with the Loggerhead Turtle, the only species 





Fig. 41. — Leathery Turtle. 



found on the British coast. Its body is a light brown, with the lines 

 of the carapace fawn-colour ; its members black, edged with yellow. 

 It attains the length of six to eight feet, and a breadth of about 

 one-fifth of the length : it sometimes reaches the weight of 1,400 to 

 1,600 pounds. Its flesh is said to be unwholesome, and, on being 

 eaten, to produce severe vomiting with diarrhoea. 



