structure, arranged in two regular rows, somewhat resembling the laths of venetian blinds. In different species the number of these plates is varied, some not containing above fifteen, others as many as thirty-six. By muscular action, they are turned on their axis at the pleasure of the fish, and their free edges are provided with small hooks, which are raised all together like the points of a wool card. The tail of each of the trained fishes in the tubs is furnished with a ring, and to this is fastened a cord of fine texture but strong, and of considerable length. When the fishermen discover the Turtles basking on the surface of the water, not daring to disturb their intended prey, by making the least noise, they slip overboard one of their Remoras, secured by the long cord, and pay out the line according to their distance. The fish soon perceives the Turtle, and hastening to it, fixes itself so firmly on the floating reptile, that the fishermen can draw both together into their boat, where there is no difficulty in detaching the fish by pushing forwards its head from behind.

The deposition of eggs by the female of this species has been carefully watched and minutely recorded by an accurate observer of nature, who thus describes the process. "On nearing the shore," says Mr. Audubon, "and mostly on fine calm moonlight nights, 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 unaccus

tomed to it are startled, and so are apt to remove to another place, although unseen by her. Should she hear any more noise, or perceive any indications of danger, she instantly sinks and goes off to a considerable distance; but should everything be quiet, she advances slowly towards 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 round 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 in. 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 forepart on the ground, 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 labour 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 one hundred and fifty, or sometimes nearly two hundred. The whole time spent in this operation may be about twenty minutes. now scrapes the loose sand back over the eggs, and so levels and smooths the surface, that few persons seeing the spot would imagine that anything 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, a

She

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; but the moment it is finished, 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."*

The group to which the Hawksbill (Chelone

imbricata, LINN.) belongs, with its ally C. virgata, Cuv., whether we regard it as of generic or sub-generic rank, may be thus characterised. *Ornith. Biog. ii.

The carapace is large, flat, and heart-shaped, composed of thirteen discal plates, and twentyfive marginal ones; the hinder margins of these are free, and overlap the succeeding plates, for nearly a third of their length; the muzzle is long and somewhat compressed; the jaws have straight edges, neither notched nor toothed, but curving towards each other at the extremities, where the lower shuts within the upper; each fin is furnished with two nails.

The fore-feet or paddles are larger in these species than in the rest of the Family, and it is said that the Hawksbill, unlike the Green Turtle, which is helpless when turned over on its back, can, by means of its long feet, recover its proper position.

The Hawksbill commonly grows to the length of three feet, and the width of two, but specimens are reported to have been seen of much greater size. Its flesh is of no estimation as food, being both ill-flavoured and unwholesome; its eggs, however, are highly valued. The species is not unimportant notwithstanding, for it produces almost exclusively that well known and beautiful material, so much used in the arts, called Tortoise-shell. In the luxurious ages of ancient Grecian and Roman art, this elegant substance was employed in embellishing articles of use and ornament, perhaps more copiously than with us; for they decorated their doors, the pillars of their houses, their beds, and the statues of their gods with it. Velleius Paterculus relates that when the city of Alexandria in Egypt was taken by Julius Cæsar, the warehouses were found to contain so large a quantity of this material,

that he proposed to make it the principal ornament of his triumph, as he did subsequently with ivory, in his triumph at the close of the African war. In the present day the demand for it in the more costly sorts of cabinet work, in inlaying, in articles of virtù, and especially in the manufacture of combs, renders this substance an important article of commerce.

The plates of the carapace in this species are stronger, thicker, and clearer than in any other; they are nearly transparent, and most beautifully variegated with yellow, red, and dark brown clouds, often proceeding in radiations; and, being susceptible of a high polish, are well adapted for ornamental purposes. The comparative value of tortoise-shell is said to depend mainly on the thickness and size of the scales, and, but in a subordinate degree, on the clearness and brilliancy of the varying hues. The Indian Archipelago, and particularly the coasts of New Guinea, and the Spice Islands, are reputed to afford the best and finest specimens. A shell is considered of little value, if the animal from which it is taken, does not weigh at least a hundred and fifty pounds.

The ancients were not aware of any mode by which the layers of which the plates are composed could be separated from each other; they therefore had recourse to the tedious and wasteful plan of sawing them into thin leaves or veneers. A better method is now pursued; the whole carapace being taken from the animal, is filled with live coals, or placed with the inner part downwards, over a fire; when thoroughly heated, the plates start from the bony shield, and the constituent layers also gape apart at the edges, so as