3 « 
CORALS. 
exceptionally fine specimens of which as much 
as £200 per oz. has been paid. 
Sea-fan. A close relation of coral is the 
sea-fan ( Gorgonia flabellum.) It consists of 
flexible, continuous steins of a horn-like sub- 
stance encrusted with the cretaceous remains 
of coral polypi. 
TORTOISE SHELL. 
Workers. An axiom has been clearly set 
forth by some wit that “ three persons may 
keep a secret, if two of them be dead.” (The 
death of the third seems desirable for absolute 
security!) An exception to this rule will, 
however, be found in the case of the three 
ladies, all alive, who have, with commendable 
reticence, locally guarded the secret of their 
process for the manufacture of tortoise shell 
into articles both useful and ornamental. 
Hawksbill turtle. The marine tortoise, or 
turtle, that supplies the tortoise-shell is the 
Hawksbill (Chelonia imbricata). This turtle, 
owing to its long forelegs, possesses the pe- 
culiarity (for turtles) of being able to turn 
over if placed on its back. Its flesh is eaten, 
though not much esteemed, being quite dis- 
tinct from that of the Edible or Green turtle. 
The turtle is caught on the shores of this is- 
land. 
“The lamellae or plates of the shell afford 
the valuable substance called tortoise-shell : 
they are semi-transparent, and most elegantly 
variegated with whitish, yellowish, reddish, 
and dark brown clouds and undulations, so 
as to constitute, when properly prepared and 
polished, one of the most elegant articles for 
