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28 There is a species common on the tropical shores of the Atlantic Ocean, by some thought to be identical with the above, though distinguished by other zoologists. It regularly visits the Tortugas, or low sandy islets that lie off the point of Florida, for the purpose of depositing its eggs, arriving, according to Audubon, later than the other Turtles, and manifesting less caution in selecting a place adapted for their concealment. The number laid by each female amounts to about three hundred and fifty, deposited in two parcels. Individuals of this species, when sorely wounded, or hampered in nets, have been heard to utter loud bellowing cries, audible at the distance of nearly a mile.

This is the largest of all the Testudinata known, sometimes attaining a length of nine or ten feet, and a weight of sixteen hundred pounds. Its carapace is of a dusky hue, and is marked over its surface into five or six-sided subdivisions, small and obscure, so as not to detract from its general smoothness.

The species of most importance to man are contained in this Family; one affording an abundant and esteemed article of diet, and another yielding a substance of much elegance, which, under the name of Tortoise-shell, is largely used in the arts. Their distinctive characters are, that the head, and particularly the feet, cannot be withdrawn between the carapace and plastron;