ooxvi CHELONiDa:. REPTILES. CnELONiDa:. 
being the Mottled 'J’urtle of the Pacific (Ohelonia 
“ 'J’urtlers ” to go boldly forward, after the creature 
vii-gata). 'I'he 0. mydas is more abundant about 
has commenced to lay, and, while they sit on its back. 
Ascension Island, and is very common on the Baha- 
take the eggs as they are dropped and transfer them 
mas and tlie West Indies. At Cayman’s Island large 
to their own receptacle, when the poor deluded reptile 
numbers breed. Agassiz treats of the Green Turtle, 
patiently and stupidly proceeds to cover what she 
which is found on the coast of California, as “ entirely 
fondly regards as her precious charge, now only the 
distinct from that of the Atlantic, by its more ele- 
empty hole. 'I’he digging and covering is all done 
vated and more arched back, and by the emargina- 
by the hind flippers. 
tion of its sides over the hind limbs. * * * 
HAWKBILL TURTLE {Chelonia irdbrieata, Linn.) 
1 am inclined to admit that my California specimens 
— 'I’his is Eretmochelys imbricata, Fitz., recorded as 
are identical with C. maculosa ; but I question the spe- 
such by Agassiz, and is known as 'I'estudo imbricata 
cific difference of C. maculosa {Cuvier), and C. virgata, 
and Caretta imbricata. It is common in the West 
[Schw.), and therefore refer them under the older 
Indies, and extends all through the Gulf of Mexico, 
name, Chelonia virgata.” Audubon gives some in- 
and along the southern coast of the United States. 
teresting details concerning the habits of the Green 
On the Florida Eeef we have met with small sped- 
Turtle at 'J'ortugas; describes the manner of deposit- 
mens ; these were particularly regarded as excellent 
ing their eggs, etc., but during eight years’ residence 
food, very tender and of good flavor. 'I’he habits are 
at Tortugas, from 1859, we know of only one instance 
much the same as tliose of other Sea 'J’urtles. Its 
of the capture of a Green 'I'urtle on this group of 
food is mostly flesh of large conchs and other 
islands, and this is the only instance of an attempt 
marine animals. It is seemingly very ferocious, its 
to lay their eggs there. 'J’he occupation of the islands 
shai'p bill giving it extraordinary power. When con- 
by man seems to have entirely checked their old 
fined with other species, it often attacks them, and 
habit. Dr. Strobel informed Dr. Holbrook that 
inflicts severe wounds with little or no provocation. 
Green 'J’urtles caught at the 'J’ortugas Islands were 
'J’he shell of this species is highly prized for its uses 
marked and taken to Key West, and there they es- 
in jewelry and the comb manufacture. 'I'he Green 
caped from confinement, and reappeared to lay their 
'Turtle is said to furnish the common kinds of com- 
eggs on the same islands in the 'I’ortugas group. 
merce. A species of this genus, E. squamata, is 
For an account of the habits of the large Sea’l'urtles, 
found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. 
see the Loggerhead 'i’ortoise. 
THE LEATHER TORTOISE (Sphargis coriacea ). — 
THE LOGGERHEAD [Chelonia caretta). — 'I'his is 
'This enormous creature, by far the most bulky of 
|)laced in another genus by Agassiz — 'I'halassochelys 
living 'I’urtles, is generally distributed throughout 
caouana. It has a much wider range than the Green 
the world, though some authors have expressed a 
Turtle. Holbrook says : “It frequently lays its eggs 
doubt that those found in widely separated seas are 
on the sandy shoals of Georgia, Carolina and Vir- 
identical. Agassiz says : “ In my opinion it is not 
ginia,” and “ it is much more shy and wary in its 
yet clearly proved that the specimens observed in 
habits than the Green 'I'urtle.” DeKay records this 
these different stations truly belong to one species.” 
species as Hawksbill 'I’urtle. It is common on the 
'I’his 'Turtle was first seen and described by Rondelet 
FiUropean Coast, and is thought to be identical with 
in 1554, and was from the Mediterranean Sea. It 
the Mediterranean species. Audubon states that it 
has since been occasionally seen, and quite recently 
feeds upon the large conch shells. 'I'he notable fea- 
it appears to have very materially increased in num- 
ture of the Loggerhead is its enormous head and 
bers, or it lias become more familiar through more 
neck. 'J’he length of this creature reaches about 
numerous captures. In 1824 a specimen was taken 
four feet, and its weight from three hundred to four 
in Massachusetts Bay. At tliat time none had been 
hundred pounds. Holbrook says, “sometimes weigh- 
known on our coast, and it proved not only a rare 
ing sixteen hundred pounds.” 'I’he flesh is eaten by 
reptile to the public, but equally so to naturalists. 
the residents of the reef, when beef is scarce, and 
It w'as purchased at a large sum, and is now in the 
Green 'J’urtles prove too expensive. The members 
Boston Museum. 'This specimen measures eight feet 
of the garrison at Foil Jefferson make good use of 
and one inch in length, and occupies an entire case. 
its flesh, and the commissary, during the season, reg- 
We have seen one fresh specimen, which drifted 
ularly serve it as fresh meat, quite to the satisfaction 
ashore at Nahant Beach ; a bullet hole in the neck. 
of the troops, who enjoy it as a soup, as well as in 
and one through the shell, seemed to indicate its 
the form of steaks. 'I’he eggs are also prized ; they 
probable fate. This specimen was but three feet and 
are tolerably good, cooked in omelet, or in cake. 
a half in length, and, like others that we have ex- 
About the last of April the Loggerhead is seen cau- 
amined, was quite black in color. Holbrook figures 
tiously peering toward land, in the vicinity of the 
one as brown, which, he says, was colored from life. 
islands where it has bred. Only on moonlight nights 
'I’he Leather 'I’ortoise is quite distinctive in shape 
does it venture ashore. It creeps slowly upwards. 
and ornamentation. Its upper shell is composed of 
furtively casting about, and ready to turn seaward at 
six longitudinal plates, which join each other in 
once, if interrupted ; but once fairly at the work, 
raised I'idges, somewhat serrated. It is truly an 
nothing turns it. It is not an uncommon thing for 
oceanic species. 
