The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1895-03-12

OF the largest tuEtle suoii5 tho o'u Aeo
mans used to rock their children I,
sleep, and other shells were used a
bath-tubs for children.
Sea-turtles' eggs are eaten by many
aud are considered great delicacy
The savory soup of the marine turtle
is also relished by great number o
those persons given to the luxuries o
the table. The finest specimens o
shells are obtained from the hawkbil
tortoise, SO called because of thu
upper jaw. The upper shell of thi'
species consists of thirteen plates
which partly overlap each other liz,
the tiles of a house.
The shell of the land turtle is Of
little value in making combs, hair.
pins, etc. but is susceptible of being
highly polished and made into jewel
ny boxes, etc. The shell OF the ma
rine tortoise can usually be welded to-
gether as iron is, but it cannot be
really melted. The East India shell
is possessed of brilliant color, but is
believed to be more brittle than those
of the West Indies.
In the manufacturing of "a shell into
useful articles, it is placed in cold
water and allowed to soak for some
time. Then it is boiled for hours.
Again it is placed in cold salt water
and then boiled until pliable ana
ready to shape, as desired, and to
separated Into thin plates.
The remains of the tortoise family
have been found in abundance in
rocks of more recent formation. Some
are found measuring, it it stated, sew
eral feet in length. The eggs Of some
marine turtles are round, with a de-
preston in each one. They have a
sandpaper-like shell The young are
interesting animals, and have crav-
ing for the water, and an instinct for
finding it. Turtles called diamond
backs" are caught in the headwaters
of the Sacramento and San Joaquin
rivers of California. They are placed
in press and fastened SO they may
float in the water. They are fed on
fresh meat until enough has been
gathered to ship TO San Francisco.
Then the tutles are sewed up in bar
ley sacks. several dozen together, and
seem fresh when they arrive at their
destination.
Sometimes turtles are caught on the
shore and turned over. 1t takes sew
eral persons to turn successfully $50
FOUNDER, especially when the ami
mails tlipperS are busy throwing a vol
ley of sand in the workers eyes.
"Pegging" is another way of taking
the turtle. Pegging consists in skill
fully hurting a three sided peg into
turtles shell. A stout long cord is
fastened to the peg by which the tur-
tie Is easily controlled. AS the peg
simply penetrates the shell the ami
NAL is seldom injured.
Mr.. G. F. Holder states that he peg
ged his first turtle while OF the Flori-
da reefs. He also speaks of a turtle
ride which he seemed to enjoy. At
ter alighting upon the animals back |
he was pulled through the water at
high rate of speed, being towed along,
now above and now beneath the wat
er. ut was highly exciting" he re-
marks. The other turtles near were
astonished as he rushed by on his
steed, and they fed this way and that
to get out Of the way.
Darwin rode upon the back OF
turtle in different manner. In his
Researches" in speaking of the tor
toise he said that he was always
amused when overtaking one of these
great monsters, as it was quietly pac-
ing along, to see how suddenly, the
instant he passed it would draw in
its head and legs, and uttering deep
hiss fall to the ground with heavy
sound, as if struck dead" II fire.
quently" he states, "got on their backs
and then giving few raps on the
hinder part of their shell they would
rise up and walk away. but l found it
difficult to keep my balance. Port
land 1'ranscrint