The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-02-15
Green TurtIe and How oaught.

Tbs tortoises and turtles all agree in
having the soft parts Of their bodies COW
cred by shells; the upper shell is really the
Hattened ribs, while the lower corresponds
to the breastbone in other animals They
reproduce their young from eggs, which
they lay in holes in the ground, leaving
them to be hatehed by the sun without
their care. Naturalists divide these ami
mails into groups or families, according to
certain differences which fit them for var
ious modes Of life One of these families,
called Chelonians (from the Greek word
for turtle includes those that live in the
sea; as these rarely leave the water except
to lay their eggs, they are quite different
in several respects from those that live on
land, or in the rivers. Their feet, or flip
pers, and other parts, are well adapted to
the ''sea.fariDg life they lead, and though
they move rapidly in the water, they are
exceedingly clumsy, indeed almost help
less, on land. There are number of Sea
Turtles besides the one called Green, one
Of them growing to an enormous size;
some live on other animals, while others,
like the Green Turtle, feed solely upon
plants, aud vary in size from few pounds
in weight up to 300 to 500 lbs. or more.
The under part Of this turtle is white,
while tho upper part is usually light
brown; the name "Greenn is said TO be
from the color of the fat, rather than from
that Of the animal itself These turtles
are generally to be found in the markets
Of seaboard cities, where they are kept in
tanks Of salt water, and fed upon cabbage
leaves and other vegetables. The Green
Turtle belongs to the waters Of the warmer
parts Of this Continent; it is especially
abundant in the West Indies, and on the
coast Of Florida; now and then one has
been taken in the waters Of New York
bay, but such have only strayed or drifted
from home. The flesh of this turtle is BY
many much esteemed us food, but it is
chiefly used to make Green Turtle Soup.
The turtles are generally caught when they
go on shore to lay their eggs, though they
are sometimes taken at sea.
The turtles leave the water on moon
light nights, and after carefully looking to
see that there is no danger, slowly crawl
about to find proper place; they then, by
working with their hind fippers, make a
hole in the sand about two feet across, and
each deposit about 200 eggs. Their eggs,
like those Of our land-tortoises, have a soft
parchment-like shell, with little dent at
one side; they are about the same weight
as hens egg, and are highly esteemed as
food. Though the turtle neglects her eggs
she is very careful in covering them, pat.
ting the sand down upon them with hel
Aippers and then bringing the weight oi
her body down over the spot. Though
very shy when they first leave the water
when they get fairly at work at their nest
they do not care for the presence of stran
gers. Then is the hunters time; they car
go directly up to the turtles without dis
turbing them, turn them upon their bach
and they are caught. When thrown upoI
its back the turtle is unable to turn over
the poor creature is quite helpless, ant
must remain until it is carried off, 1t re
quires some skill to turn over large tur
tic, as the animal makes a great struggle
and il one is a new hand at it, he is yer,
likely to te bruised by blows from th
, powerful fppers, or be blinded by th
showers Of sand that are thrown up in til
struggle. The turtle.hunters have pen
placed where the tide will flow into them
where they keep great numbers until the,
have chance to send them to market.
! great many are sent to Europe. Th
turtle that furnishes the beautiful shell O
which combs and ornamental articles ar
made is found in the Pacific and Indial
Oceans The great Loggerhead Turtle i
sometimes found as far north as Virgins
when full-grown it weighs 800 to l so,
lbs, but is Of little use except for the Of
it yields.