The Hi/lory of B o o k I. 



moft of the fame figure } but the meat only of the firft kind is 

 good to be eaten j unlefs it be in cafe of neceffity, and for want 

 of other provifion ; fo that of the two laft, only the (hell isof 

 value. 



The Tortne-Yrauche^ and the Caouannes are commonly of Co 

 vaft a bulk, that the upper (hell is about four foot and a half in 

 length , and four in bredth : Which is not to be much ad- 

 mired, fince that in Maurice- ijland there are fome which having 

 four men on their backs, are neverthelefs able to go. Mlian 

 relates, that the Inhabitants of Taprobana cover their houles 

 therewith : And if we may credit Diedorus Siculus , certain 

 Nations of the Eajt-Indies convert them into Boats, in which 

 they will crofs a great arm of the Sea that lies between them 

 and the Continent. 



Thefe Amphibious creatures feldom come to Land, but on- 

 ly to difpofe of their Egges, in order to propagation : To that 

 end they make choice of a very light fand which they find on 

 the Sea-fide, in fome place not much frequented, and to which 

 they pay have eafie accefs. 



The Iflanders, who at a certain feafon of the year go to the 

 Cayem^n-Ijlands , to make provifion of the meat of Tor- 

 toifes which come to land there in infinite numbers, affirm, that 

 they make their recourfe thither from all parts within a hun- 

 dred leagues and more to lay their egges, by reafon fcf the 

 eafinefs of the accefs, the fhore being flat, and cover'd with a 

 foft fand : The Tortoifes come to land about the latter end of 

 Aprils and their landing continues till September, and then may 

 they betaken in abundance 5 which is thus performed. 



At the clofe of the evening fome men are fet aibore, who 

 lying on the lands without making any noife, watch the Tor- 

 toifes when they come out of the Sea to lay their egges in the 

 fand $ and when they perceive that .they are got a good way 

 from the Sea-fide, and hear them making a deep hole in the 

 fand with their claws, into which being a foot and a half deep, 

 and fometimes more, they lay the egges, they come and fur- 

 prize them at that employment, and turn them upfide-down$ 

 and being in that pofture they are not able to recover them- 

 felves, but continue fo till the next day that they are brought 

 thence in Shallops to the Ships : When they are thus turned 

 upfide-down, they are obferv'd toflied tears, and are heardto 

 figh. Tis generally known that the Stag weeps when he is put 

 to his extremities : And it is almoft incredible what cries and 

 groans proceed from the Crocodiles about the Ni/e, and what 

 tears they (hed when they find themfelves taken. 



The Sea-men of thofe Ships which go to the Cayeman-lfiands 

 to take in their loading of Tortoifes, may every night in left 

 then three hours turn forty or fifty of them, the leaft whereof 

 weighs a hundred and fifty pound, and the ordinary ones two 

 x hundred 



•?4- 



