294 AQUATIC TORTOISES. 
When of full size it weighs from forty to fifty pounds. 
The eggs are much larger than those of a pigeon, 
and are covered with a calcareous crust. 
The terekay, the species which occurs above the 
cataracts, is much smaller. It has the same num- 
ber of dorsal plates, but the colour is olive green, 
with two spots of red mixed with yellow on the top 
of the head, and a prickly appendage under the 
chin. The eggs have an agreeable taste, and are 
much sought after, but are not deposited in masses 
like those of the tortuga. This variety is found below 
the cataracts as well as in the Apure, the Urituco, 
the Guarico, and the small rivers of the Llanos of 
Caraccas. 
The period at which the arrau deposites its eggs is 
when the river is lowest. About the beginning of 
February these creatures issue from the water and 
warm themselves on the beach, remaining there 
a great part of the day. Early in the month of 
March they assemble on the islands where they 
breed, when thousands are to be seen ranged in files 
along the shores. The Indians place sentinels at 
certain distances, to prevent them from being dis- 
turbed, and the people who pass in boats are told to 
keep in the middle of the river. The laying of the 
eggs begins soon after sunset, and is continued 
throughout the night. The animal digs a hole three 
feet in diameter and two in breadth with its hind 
feet, which are very long and furnished with crook- 
ed claws. So pressing is the desire which it feels 
to get rid of its burden, that great confusion pre- 
vails, and an immense number of eggs is broken. - 
Some of the tortoises are surprised by day before 
they have finished the operation, and, becoming in- 
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