as many as they require in the same manner, carry them off to their ships. These turtles are often seen in the waters of the West India Islands, in the Gulf of Mexico, on the Atlantic coasts of America and Africa, and in various parts of the Pacific and Indian Oceans; when not engaged in feeding, they float on the water, sometimes many miles from land; they are then apparently asleep, and are easily approached and captured. Audubon gives the following interesting account of the manner in which the female deposits her eggs, which he appears to have observed along the coast of Florida.

“On first nearing the shore, and mostly on fine moonlight evenings, the turtle raises her head above the water, being still distant thirty or forty yards from the beach, looks around her, and attentively examines the objects on shore. Should she observe nothing likely to disturb her intended operations, she emits a loud, hissing sound, by which such of her many enemies as are unaccustomed to it are startled, and so are apt to remove to another place, although unseen by her. Should she hear any noise, or perceive any indications of danger, she instantly sinks, and goes off to a considerable distance; but should every thing be quiet, she advances slowly toward the beach, crawls over it, her head raised to the full stretch of her neck, and when she has reached a place fitted for her purpose, she gazes all around in silence.

"Finding all well,' she proceeds to form a hole in the sand, which she effects by removing it from under her body with her hind flappers, scooping it out with so much dexterity that the sides seldom if ever fall. The sand is raised alternately with each flapper, as with a large ladle, until it has accumulated behind her, when, supporting herself with her head and fore part on the ground fronting her body, she, with a spring from each flapper, sends the sand around her, scattering it to the distance of several feet. In this manner the hole is dug to the depth of eighteen inches, or sometimes more than two feet. This labor I have seen performed in the short period of nine minutes. The eggs are then dropped one by one, and disposed in regular layers to the number of a hundred and fifty, or sometimes nearly two hundred The whole time spent in this

part of the operation may be about twenty minutes. She now scrapes the loose sand back over the eggs, and so levels and smooths the surface that few persons on seeing the spot could imagine that any thing had been done to it. This accomplished to her mind, she retreats to the water with all possible dispatch, leaving the hatching of the eggs to the heat of the sand.

“When a Turtle, or Loggerhead, for example, is in the act of dropping her eggs, she will not move, although one should go up to her, or even seat himself on her back, for it seems at this moment she finds it necessary to proceed at all events, and is unable to intermit her labor. The moment it is finished, however, off she starts; nor would it then be possible for one, unless he were as strong as Hercules, to turn her over and secure her.

“Each turtle has generally three layings in the season, at intervals of two or three weeks. The eggs are perfectly round, varying from two to three inches in diameter. The external membrane is flexible, very white, and contains a considerable quantity of calcareous matter."

The HAWK'S-BILL TURTLE, C. imbricata, receiving its popular name from the curved and pointed form of the upper jaw, rarely exceeds three feet; its flesh is unwholesome, but as it furnishes the well-known Tortoise-Shell of commerce, it is much sought after. Although the greater number

of the whole order of Chelonia have the back and sternum covered with horny plates or scales, it is almost exclusively those of the present species which are applicable to the purposes of art. The thirteen plates with which the whole upper part of the shell is covered, are in fact much thicker and stronger, as well as more beautifully clouded, than those of any other species, and as they lie in what is called an imbricated form—that is, one over the other like the tiles of a house, so that at least one-third of each envelops the one behind it-they are much

larger in comparison with the size of the individual. In their preparation the scales or plates. are, in the first place, separated by the application of heat; they are thus sold to the manufacturers in the rough state, in which they are uneven, fragile, opaque, and dirty, and it is the first object of the artificer to obviate these defects. The uneven surface, the irregular curvature, the unequal thickness of different parts, have all to be corrected, and not only can these objects be readily effected, but the substance can be rendered ductile, compressible, capable of receiving any impression, of being carved, moulded, and polished, and even extended, by soldering pieces together by means of their own substance reduced to powder. The whole of these processes are performed by means of heat.

The uneven curvature is first of all to be removed, and the plate rendered perfectly flat. This is effected by immersing it in hot water, and then allowing it to cool under heavy pressure between smooth blocks of wood or metallic plates. The surface is then rendered smooth and the thickness equal, by scraping and filing away the rough and prominent parts. In this way, each plate receives an equal and smooth surface. But it is in many cases desirable to employ larger pieces than can be obtained from single plates, and two pieces are then united together in the following manner: the edges are beveled off to the space of two or three lines, and the margins, when placed together, overlap each other to that extent. They are then pressed together by a metallic press, and the whole is submitted to the action of boiling water; by this means, the two pieces are so perfectly soldered together as to leave no indication of the line of union. By the application of heat, also, the tortoise-shell may be made to receive any impression, by being pressed between metallic moulds.

No portion of this precious substance is lost or useless. The filings and powder which remain after these and the other processes to which the shell is submitted, are placed with any small fragments in metallic moulds, and by means of pressure, exercised while they are exposed to the heat of boiling water, are formed into plates of any thickness which may be required.

This species is found in the tropical seas, and occasionally strays into the Mediterranean; it is also common in the Gulf of Mexico. Those which produce the finest shell are taken in the waters of the Indian Archipelago.

The LOGGERHEAD TURTLE, C. caretta, is the largest of the genus, sometimes weighing eleven

hundred pounds, though half that weight is the more common size. In some cases, the inhabitants of the countries where these animals are abundant, convert their shells into boats, drinking-troughs for cattle, coverings for huts, and baths for children. This species is exceedingly voracious, and feeds on mollusca, the shells of which it crushes between its powerful jaws. Its flesh is worthless, and its eggs are somewhat musky. It however furnishes an oil that burns well. It is found in tropical seas, and not unfrequently in the Mediterranean.

Genus SPHARGIS: Sphargis.-To this belongs the LEATHERY TURTLE, S. coriacea-Tortue luth of the French—remarkable for having the surface of the shell covered with a leathery skin

Bahamas, and is occasionally seen on the coasts of New York and Massachusetts, as well as those of England and France, and is sometimes met with in the Mediterranean. Its flesh is not fit for food. De Kay says: "We are not in possession of sufficient evidence to determine whether the large Leather Turtle seen in the Pacific and Indian Oceans belongs to this species."

THE TRIONYCIDÆ OR SOFT TORTOISES.

In these the carapace, which, as well as the plastron, is cartilaginous, is still more incomplete than in the turtles, the ribs being only expanded and united at the base, and running out to the margin in the form of the spokes of a wheel. This imperfect carapace is covered with a tough, leathery skin, which is flexible at the margin, and, as in the turtles, the head and limbs are incapable of being retracted within the case. The head is rather small, and pointed in front; the neck is long; the horny jaws are covered with fleshy lips, and the nostrils are produced into a short, cylindrical trunk. The feet are all short and strong, furnished with five toes which are united by a strong web, of which three on each foot are furnished with claws.

The Soft Tortoises live in the rivers of the warmer parts of Asia and Africa, and species are found in the North American waters. They are active, predaceous animals, feeding principally upon fish, but occasionally concealing themselves among the reeds and sedges of the banks, whence they rush out and seize birds and small reptiles.

Genus TRIONYX: Trionyx.—This includes the SOFT-SHELLED TORTOISE, T. ferox, principally

aquatic reptiles, by suddenly darting forth its long neck. The average length of this species is nine inches, including the head and tail.

Other American species are the T. muticus, found in the Ohio River; the T. Bartrami and T. Harlani, both found in East Florida.

The EGYPTIAN TORTOISE, T. Niloticus, is said to destroy great numbers of young alligators. Genus CHELONURA: Chelonura.-This includes the well-known SNAPPING-TURTLE, C. serpentina, common throughout the United States. The length of the shell is nine inches; total length fifteen this species is, however, often much larger; Holbrook mentions one four feet long. It inhabits alike clear and muddy, but generally deep waters; lays its eggs in a hole which it scoops out in the sand; feeds on frogs and fishes, and snaps greedily at the legs of ducks in a pond, dragging them under the water to be devoured at leisure. Its propensity to snap at every thing within its reach has given it its common popular name; it is sometimes called Loggerhead, Alligator-Turtle, and Couta. The eggs, as

THE SNAPPING TURTLE.

well as the flesh, are excellent food, though the old tortoises are rather musky. The head is large, but can be drawn under the shell; the tail is long, scaly, and pointed; the fore-legs are large and warty; the shell is deep ash-color. Another species, the C. Temminckii, is found in Mississippi.

THE CHELYDIDÆ.

This family presents a general resemblance to the preceding; the head and neck are capable of being retracted to some extent beneath the carapace, which is covered with horny shields. The head is broad and depressed, and the nose usually prolonged into a proboscis. Like the soft turtles, they live in the ponds, lakes, and rivers of warm climates, where they feed principally on fish. Genus CHELYS: Chelys.-This includes the MATAMATA TORTOISE, C. Matamata, of South America, common in Guiana, and sometimes attaining seventy pounds weight. During the night, and when they believe themselves to be secure from danger, they come to repose on the

THE MATAMATA TORTOISE.

islets, the rocks, the fallen trunks of trees upon the banks, or floating timber, whence they precipitate themselves into the water at the sight of man, or at the least alarming noise. They are very voracious and agile, and pursue their prey as they swim, consisting of reptiles, more especially young

crocodiles and also fishes. On the neck and head there are several membraneous lobes, which give them a hideous appearance. Their flesh being esteemed, they are angled for with a hook and line, baited with small fish or living animals, or with a dead bait, to which the angler gives motion and apparent life; for they are said never to approach a dead and immovable prey. When they would seize their food or defend themselves, they dart out their head and long neck with the rapidity of an arrow. They bite sharply with their trenchant beak, and do not let go till they have taken the piece out on which they have seized; so that their bite is much dreaded, and the fishermen generally cut off their heads as soon as they have caught them.

THE EMYDIDÆ.

This is a very extensive family, generally distributed over the globe. The carapace is completely ossified, and its bones united by sutures; the jaws are horny, and destitute of lips, VOL. II.-46.

and the head and neck can be completely retracted within the shell. The nostrils are placed at the apex of the snout, but are not prolonged into a proboscis. They are chiefly aquatic, but move well upon the land, and feed upon small fishes and aquatic insects. They are most abundant in warm climates, but some species are found in North America, and also in Europe. By some naturalists the Box-Tortoises are included in this family, but we shall notice them among the Land Tortoises.

Genus EMYS: Emys. Of this, one of the best known species in this country is the SALT

It is found on Long Island, and abundantly on the coast further north. The SMOOTH TERRAPIN, E. terrapin, seven or eight inches long, is similar to the preceding, and is valued for the table; found from Rhode Island southward along the coast.

The PAINTED TORTOISE, E. picta, is from five to nine inches long; a very handsome species,

The RED-BELLIED TERRAPIN, E. rubriventris, is ten to seventeen inches long; color dusky, with reddish spots, above; beneath red; common in New York and the neighborhood; the flesh is good, and it is often brought to the markets.