Arizona weekly citizen., 1888-09-01
TURTLE-CATCHiNG
Av DOLORES BAY, ON THE coAs1
 OF YUcATAn.
Watching the ruytiss sy Mooniighs's Making a Capture and Securing Che Captivs-Ths Hswk-BiIi and
 the Carey-Ths Ezra
fHsrper's Baxar

HarpSr's baEAr
 The afr was exquisitely soft and balmy. and the moon SO brilliant that every neet ing cloud was reflected in the clear water of Dolores bay. while the white sand of the shore glittered under our feet as We sauntered along enjoying the beauty of the scene
 In this peaceful bay. six miles from the eastern coast of lucatau, the Spanish ships anchored nearly 100 years ago, and the cOnquerors named the place Island hugeres. or Woman'S island, because ia the temples of the natives they found many images of women. One of these quaint sanctuaries still stands q the south point of the island on sa eninence whose rocky foundation is being washed away atom by atom, by ever seething waves that perpetually dash against it. IL Is a deserted spot, the few inhabitants of the island all dwelling In the village of Dolores. just in front of the bay. Their principal industry Is fishing. and from the month of April to August all their attention is given to turtlecatch- ing So on that moon light night ss ws strOlled along the beach. men, women and children wended their way to the north end of the island. where all WAS silent as the white tombstone in the
 
 some hastening their steps as If they feared some departed friend might stalk forth in winding sheet
 Teaching place where thick bushes grew. not far from the waters edge, all concealed themselves behind the bushes or in the shadows cast by them. and from their hiding place watched silently for the turtles. These prolific creatures coms to lay their eggs In the sand, never falling To select a spot above high.vaer mark. consequently at low tide they have to go good way up the beach Having chosen place they quickly make c hole In the sand and deposit therein about 100 eggs. over which they again put the sand. leaving the spot in appear. nee ss they found it. so that no one would discover the nest but for the tracks of the turtle which immediately returns 10 The water, leaving the eggs 10 be matched by the heat of the sun; and in due time the little turtles make thelr way out and 20 straight way 10 the water
 When the turtle begins to cover the eggs the people creep from their hiding. place and cut oil her way to the water: then. when she starts toward them. they capture her and turn her over, not with | out trouble, for some weigh As much as | 600 pounds. The flaps are then tied. and | & mark set on the shell. ss that when | morning comes each party may know | which they have captured The family | that catches two or three in a night is well I satisfied
 The turtles have formidable jawa and | it is necessary 10 keep ones hands well 1 out of their reach, for they can break mans limb as We can a match As for conchs-most abundant in those waters though the shell h hard 10 break with a hammer. the cahuamO easily cracks it, to eat the delicious contentA
 The cshusmO. or hawk bill. ls the larg- est kind of turtle. weighing from 200 10 500 poundS Its flesh taItes like good | beef. but Is generally lef, on ihe beach 10 Tot and be consumed by buxzsrds. the | people not being numerous enough to eat it all though large quantities are dried | and Salted 10 be sold as lerked beef. Some people once went 10 considerable expense to preserve this meat. but we are told that | it turned bad in the cana
 The people gather the egss. the fat. and the shell, though the last is worth SO little that they do not always take the trouble 10 lift it from the beach; many are scattered over the sand The egEs are considered great delicacy. and taste very rich. but have strange sandiness that is unpleasant 70 the pslsts
 The carey Caledonia inbricsta) ii smaller and of more value The least the will take for the shell Is two and : half or three dollars . pound; rather than accept less they will keep it in their house from one year to another. The carey. ss we'll as the green turtle, is caught with harpoons and nets. The green tur tle is carried to British Honduras. where they gre worth from $1.50 70 S3 OO each. the shell not being used The poor creat- ures are transported in small sailing yes sels. where they lie on their back on deck exposed tO the scorching sun. and once day have buckets of water dashed over .hem Co keep them alive