sued, he tamely submits, when struck, to be taken into the boat or hauled ashore. LOGGER-HEAD TURTLE *This species is larger than any yet discovered. It resembles the green turtle, but is distinguished by the superior size of the head, the proportional breadth of the shell, and by its deeper and more variegated colours. In a commercial view, this species is of little importanee; its flesh being rank and coarse, and the laminæ of the shell too thin for general use. It is said, however, to afford a good quantity of oil, which may be used for lamps, &c. HAWK'S-BILL TURTLE +. The flesh of this species, although frequently used in all parts of America, is not so delicate nor so much esteemed as that of the green turtle; but its scales are the most valued, being generally the thickest and best colour ed. The whole spoils of the tortoise consist in thirteen leaves or scales, eight of them flat, and five a little bent. Of the flat ones, there are four large ones, sometimes a foot long, and seven inches broad §. The lamellæ are semi-transparent, and elegantly variegated with whitish, yellowish, red *Testudo Caretta. + Testudo Imbricata. Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 465. Mortimer's Commercial Dictionary. 3 dish, and dark brown clouds and undulations, so as to constitute, when properly prepared and polished, one of the most elegant articles for ornamental purposes. These laminæ form the external coating, and this is raised or separated from the bony part, which it covers, by placing fire beneath the shell; the heat soon causing the plates to start, so as to be easily detached from the bone. These plates vary in thickness according to the age and size of the animal, and measure from an eighth to a quarter of an inch in thickness. A large turtle is said to afford about eight pounds of tortoise-shell; or, according to M. Schoepf, from five to fifteen, or twenty pounds; and unless the animal itself be about the weight of 150 pounds, the shell is not much worth. TERRAPIN*.-The body of this species is gene. rally of a compressed oval form, and seldom exceeds eight or nine inches in length. It lives chiefly among the weeds that grow about the different lagoons. It is looked upon as delicate wholesome food by many people t. HICATEE. This species, though smaller than Testudo Palastris. + Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 465. Testudo Sulcata. the sea turtle, is in no other respect inferior; it is found in the rivers and creeks of the interior*. The shell is very deep, and often above a foot and a half in length; but the surface is generally divided into oblong hexagons, yellow in the centre, and radiated with slender even streaks from thence to the circumference +: CRAY-FISH This is sometimes called the Sear Lobster, and is extremely plentiful, and much admired for the whiteness and delicacy of its meat. It sometimes grows to a very considerable size. CRABS §. The species found in this country are very numerous. They are all much esteemed, and may be caught in great numbers. MANGROVE OYSTER |.-It receives its name from its adhering in clusters to the branches and roots of the tree of this name. It has a thin shell, and varies in form and size, but is often as large as the palm of the hand. This oyster is considered very little inferior in taste to the European, either in • Henderson's Honduras, p. 152. + Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 466. Cancer Cærulescens. § Cancer. Ostrea Parasitica. 66 flavour or delicacy. "It is a circumstance of no "small utility in an infant settlement, that the "mouths of many of the principal rivers produce a "prodigious quantity of oysters, both of the mangrove and flat species; of the latter sort, there are banks that appear inexhaustible; so that with respect to food, the inhabitants of this country, "seem almost to be exempted from the general "curse entailed upon our first 66 parents *." CONQUE.This shell-fish is plentifully found about the different keys, and is esteemed a wholesome and nutritious food. Before they are dressed, it is necessary to beat them with a wooden mallet, to make them tender. WILK +, is found in abundance in the neighbourhood of the small islets on the coast, and is considered as both an wholesome and agreeable food. Edwards' Account of the British Settlements on the Mosquito Shore, Vol. 5th, App. p. 208. REPTILES. RATTLE-SNAKE *.-A small species of this snake is said to be met with about the high-lands adjacent to the Bay of Honduras; but is seldom found so large as in the American States †. BLACK-SNAKE-This little reptile is very slender, and extremely active; it is generally from two feet and a half to three feet, or better, in length. It is perfectly harmless. "I have never heard of any da 66 mage done by them, though they are frequent in "most of the colonies §." TOMMY GOFF.-A venomous species of snake found in the neighbourhood of Balize. BARBERS POLE.-Another venomous species found at the same place. They usually infest out-houses or thatched buildings |. WOWLER T.-This snake is said sometimes to be #Crotalus. Coluber. + Henderson's Honduras, p. 153. Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 461. Coluber. |