THE ALDABRA ISLES 
215 
species of giant tortoises belonging to Aldabra, viz., Tes- 
hido elepJiantina, T. gig ante a ^ T. hololissa^ and T. Dattdini. 
According to the tortoise catchers, there are such mighty 
specimens living in the bush that it is quite impossible 
to transport them. As these animals propagate quickly 
an early extermination is only to be looked for if the 
bush should at any time be destroyed. 
The island is only inhabited at the present time by 
some twenty persons. These are blacks who have 
immigrated from the Seychelles and have founded a small 
settlement of ten houses. They are in the service 
of a contractor and grow maize, batatas, tobacco and 
vegetables to some extent, but their chief business is 
catching turtles and tortoises. 
The numerous turtles (Chelone viridis) are either caught 
where they come to shore, or harpooned in the shallower 
parts of the sea. The rowing boats used for taking 
them are lightly built, and flat-bottomed so as not to run 
aground. When the animals are hit they swim away 
as quickly as possible, dragging the boat after them; at 
last they get tired and are taken on board. They are 
either conveyed to the Seychelles alive, or they are killed, 
their flesh being then cut into strips and dried in the sun. 
The fat of the turtle forms a very important article of 
trade. It is packed in iron vessels holding 11 gallons 
and exported to France, where it enjoys a certain demand 
for medicinal purposes. The lung, when dried, is esteemed 
as an ingredient for soup. Another business is fishing 
for holothurias, these sluggish sea-cucumbers occurring 
many together on the reefs as well as in the shallow 
lagoons. 
The cocoa-nut palm has been introduced at several 
points of the island, and may perhaps yield a good return 
in the future. 
The favourable conditions of existence might well sup¬ 
port an increased population, as the people would find 
